tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8573656333819996962024-03-04T20:47:58.878-08:00Run To RadianceRun To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857365633381999696.post-55063553786621149812013-11-20T11:24:00.000-08:002013-11-20T11:24:22.479-08:00I've moved!Come visit me at my new blog:<br />
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www.RunToRadiance.com<br />
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See you there! :)Run To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857365633381999696.post-36111785031017252842012-02-05T18:46:00.000-08:002012-02-05T19:12:21.471-08:00Why what seems like the worst thing is actually the best thing<div>5 months ago, I left my job at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">GEICO</span> and started a job with another company. The night I accepted the job offer I had 2 other offers with comparable or higher salaries that I turned down to go to this company. Why? Because in my heart of hearts I knew that I was supposed to. My husband confirmed it, my heart confirmed it- so I did it. I took a recruiting job in an industry I knew little about on a leap of faith. A few weeks in, I knew I was in way over my head. I didn't understand the terminology, the industry or what my role in all of it really was. I felt sad, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">frustrated</span> and confused...why had the Lord lead me here when I was putting in 100% effort and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">literally</span> failing completely?</div><div><br /></div><div>But I pressed on. 'It will get better,' I told myself. 'Pull yourself up by your bootstraps and get your head out of the clouds!' So on I worked. With up to an hour commute each way, I worked from 8am to 6pm, usually through lunch, then drove home another hour. I was exhausted. But I was doing my best and giving 100% and then some. I started to feel a stirring in my heart- the job didn't sit quite right with me and everything I loved (photography, cooking, spending time with my husband/friends/family, etc) was being shoved into a corner. 'I'm no quitter!' I told myself. 'March on!' So I shoved the nagging feeling that the Lord had something different in mind and kept pushing on. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then I lost my job...and I felt so relieved. So grateful. So fully of joy....and ready for what the Lord had next for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>...and I'm still waiting. I'm working until February 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> and then after that have no plans to find another corporate position. After a lot of seeking and praying and asking those close to me to pray and seek God's will with me, I feel really affirmed that this is to be a season where I'm at home. Of course I will not be lying around eating <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">bon</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">bons</span> and watching soaps all day. :) I'm going to be focusing on my photography, continuing my novel (2 chapters down, 50 to go!), blogging and working on getting items together for a craft booth in Canton. I really believe that God has made me uniquely different in the sense that my mind works completely differently then most people and He's given me a gift of creativity that would be a literal sin to waste. He has made me want to decorate and explore and create- and I am SO GRATEFUL. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've always <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">lamented</span> that I have "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">frou</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">frou</span>" gifts that aren't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">practical</span> and aren't useful. It couldn't be further from the truth! God Himself is the Grand Creator- if you don't believe me take a look around you! Look at colors and rainbows and oceans and stars and babies! God delights in creating beauty, and gave me the same heart for it. So where it will take me, I don't know...but I hope to look back in 6 months and be able to giggle at it all...to say so THIS is why the thing that felt like the worst thing is actually the best thing. He always gives exceedingly abundantly more then we can ask or imagine...so I am excited to see what He has for me. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>So get ready....some cool things are about to happen for me. Hey God! :)</div><div><br /></div>Run To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857365633381999696.post-26896809417743098232012-02-05T18:22:00.000-08:002012-02-05T18:45:59.276-08:00A Church- Planted.<div>I'm really honored to be a part of an AWESOME community of believers here in Dallas. We've been walking in community with them several years and really could have not asked God for a better group of friends who are real, kind, and genuine. :) We have been working towards opening a church for awhile- and finally this past weekend we had our first service!! It was AWESOME!! I had goosebumps almost the whole time. We met outdoors for our first service, but will be meeting at 10am at Criswell college downtown Dallas for the next 3 months at least. :) Come join us!! Here are a few pictures I took...nothing fancy.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdY8uSRbt75urycJAMpeFZElqn4fjWOu6E0MkqQiailEPOIUzKdH3YSR0NCTT4w60EiHeUxselNNrW57kjJQ7SVGfizgH6yHmjxLGlFStZZyq1tVv3bhe5ANhX_adHvBAk49cGUX_e3Y/s1600/baptism.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqQ1xPLOuP1kZe87DpdUlD-y831SkSpBcCt2rj0cM1AorNy0lswQXIwzEQSw5XbEmZ4i4ICuihmSV-J5vBZ7Oks6BOTBKvcxZYcSKR7OqODZsdmEcP8aSkorI7MvSCcSYyrz1TtEkoBU/s1600/normandy+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqQ1xPLOuP1kZe87DpdUlD-y831SkSpBcCt2rj0cM1AorNy0lswQXIwzEQSw5XbEmZ4i4ICuihmSV-J5vBZ7Oks6BOTBKvcxZYcSKR7OqODZsdmEcP8aSkorI7MvSCcSYyrz1TtEkoBU/s400/normandy+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705844688104996258" /></a>My friend Sang, me and my sister.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjSt8YveSAbZgTgR01eADa0b_dRKhDb-P7cVpYDVoTE3EMOZlO5IG2HKmcqhGb1QobiJEO5_2l-6wRlGpNqferWbGJb0VmLyNj2ds5DTIvhyphenhyphenBkJb16c6TyiosHhcdoUzBEWbILd9MWOY/s1600/normandy+3.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /><div style="text-align: center;text-decoration: underline; "><br /></div></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7o9cu_TETRew3JR0j6JcQfJrsQGsuUxlM1L9-LG0XY18zfzRvL7rlLLRCxzHupSr_ncywJ2QH2s8yXhijN1N3aQ0-tKZuRNcxrbJSngNLP1wg-aw-FcxDD8O7DjK2ctS24b_A1sMCkk/s1600/normandy+2.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBM8AgLL4H2bvNQiDOJ9T6tjnIb9Tycci60ZME6rgzdVqtixtNL43_DKR90LbCXQcIHbacW3PV5GRRrtaQHdfryciMqwrsNoEHb70O_jmpfiOcxS2OyhXAaESB41QM9IPN5_xV3cXVQY/s1600/normandy+1.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBM8AgLL4H2bvNQiDOJ9T6tjnIb9Tycci60ZME6rgzdVqtixtNL43_DKR90LbCXQcIHbacW3PV5GRRrtaQHdfryciMqwrsNoEHb70O_jmpfiOcxS2OyhXAaESB41QM9IPN5_xV3cXVQY/s400/normandy+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705844311927493378" /></a><div>This is where we met- it is in the Lake Highlands area. It was in the 30s but honestly I was hot by the end of it and had my jacket off. This is a big deal if you know my distaste for winter. :)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></span></div></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjSt8YveSAbZgTgR01eADa0b_dRKhDb-P7cVpYDVoTE3EMOZlO5IG2HKmcqhGb1QobiJEO5_2l-6wRlGpNqferWbGJb0VmLyNj2ds5DTIvhyphenhyphenBkJb16c6TyiosHhcdoUzBEWbILd9MWOY/s1600/normandy+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjSt8YveSAbZgTgR01eADa0b_dRKhDb-P7cVpYDVoTE3EMOZlO5IG2HKmcqhGb1QobiJEO5_2l-6wRlGpNqferWbGJb0VmLyNj2ds5DTIvhyphenhyphenBkJb16c6TyiosHhcdoUzBEWbILd9MWOY/s400/normandy+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705844542933249474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a>Scott and our friend Jason putting together the children's ministry area together...in a 12 person tent. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7o9cu_TETRew3JR0j6JcQfJrsQGsuUxlM1L9-LG0XY18zfzRvL7rlLLRCxzHupSr_ncywJ2QH2s8yXhijN1N3aQ0-tKZuRNcxrbJSngNLP1wg-aw-FcxDD8O7DjK2ctS24b_A1sMCkk/s1600/normandy+2.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7o9cu_TETRew3JR0j6JcQfJrsQGsuUxlM1L9-LG0XY18zfzRvL7rlLLRCxzHupSr_ncywJ2QH2s8yXhijN1N3aQ0-tKZuRNcxrbJSngNLP1wg-aw-FcxDD8O7DjK2ctS24b_A1sMCkk/s400/normandy+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705844413259933218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div>Beautiful ladies :)</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdY8uSRbt75urycJAMpeFZElqn4fjWOu6E0MkqQiailEPOIUzKdH3YSR0NCTT4w60EiHeUxselNNrW57kjJQ7SVGfizgH6yHmjxLGlFStZZyq1tVv3bhe5ANhX_adHvBAk49cGUX_e3Y/s1600/baptism.jpg" style="text-decoration: none; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; "><br /></div></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqQ1xPLOuP1kZe87DpdUlD-y831SkSpBcCt2rj0cM1AorNy0lswQXIwzEQSw5XbEmZ4i4ICuihmSV-J5vBZ7Oks6BOTBKvcxZYcSKR7OqODZsdmEcP8aSkorI7MvSCcSYyrz1TtEkoBU/s1600/normandy+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqQ1xPLOuP1kZe87DpdUlD-y831SkSpBcCt2rj0cM1AorNy0lswQXIwzEQSw5XbEmZ4i4ICuihmSV-J5vBZ7Oks6BOTBKvcxZYcSKR7OqODZsdmEcP8aSkorI7MvSCcSYyrz1TtEkoBU/s1600/normandy+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqQ1xPLOuP1kZe87DpdUlD-y831SkSpBcCt2rj0cM1AorNy0lswQXIwzEQSw5XbEmZ4i4ICuihmSV-J5vBZ7Oks6BOTBKvcxZYcSKR7OqODZsdmEcP8aSkorI7MvSCcSYyrz1TtEkoBU/s1600/normandy+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdY8uSRbt75urycJAMpeFZElqn4fjWOu6E0MkqQiailEPOIUzKdH3YSR0NCTT4w60EiHeUxselNNrW57kjJQ7SVGfizgH6yHmjxLGlFStZZyq1tVv3bhe5ANhX_adHvBAk49cGUX_e3Y/s400/baptism.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705844768527285906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had 2 baptisms- a mother and her son. It was really awesome to be a part of and I was really proud of all 4 of these guys for being brave enough to be in the fountain!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So why another church in Dallas? Isn't there a church on every corner? Good questions. DFW is projected to grow over 60% by 2040. People are pouring in to this area at a crazy fast pace and the people coming include people who are lost, lonely, hurt, broken and in need of the Gospel. Luckily it is not our job to save anyone- it's God's deal, but we get invited to be a part of it. So our job is to be obedient and do our part to make sure every person has a chance to encounter the love of God...trust me, you will never be the same. :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For more info check out: http://www.m117.org</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqQ1xPLOuP1kZe87DpdUlD-y831SkSpBcCt2rj0cM1AorNy0lswQXIwzEQSw5XbEmZ4i4ICuihmSV-J5vBZ7Oks6BOTBKvcxZYcSKR7OqODZsdmEcP8aSkorI7MvSCcSYyrz1TtEkoBU/s1600/normandy+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqQ1xPLOuP1kZe87DpdUlD-y831SkSpBcCt2rj0cM1AorNy0lswQXIwzEQSw5XbEmZ4i4ICuihmSV-J5vBZ7Oks6BOTBKvcxZYcSKR7OqODZsdmEcP8aSkorI7MvSCcSYyrz1TtEkoBU/s1600/normandy+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqQ1xPLOuP1kZe87DpdUlD-y831SkSpBcCt2rj0cM1AorNy0lswQXIwzEQSw5XbEmZ4i4ICuihmSV-J5vBZ7Oks6BOTBKvcxZYcSKR7OqODZsdmEcP8aSkorI7MvSCcSYyrz1TtEkoBU/s1600/normandy+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div></div>Run To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857365633381999696.post-16860052338357329092011-10-23T19:02:00.001-07:002011-10-23T20:00:48.606-07:00An Art Project<div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></u></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wow...time has flown by...I can't believe it's almost been a year. To summarize the past year:</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-Had a depths of despair, horrible, no good work situation that I did a horrible, no good, terrible job handling. On the other side I regret that I wasn't more mature and wise of how I handled things, but in the midst of it I did the best I could.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-I got a new job. Yay! I have a great job with a great employer- still in Recruiting. Learning so much these days about recruiting, and the similarities of all jobs at corporate America. BTW God totally gave me this miracle job in a huge way...I'll have to share the story at some point in the near future.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-My marriage went from 1 year to 2 years old. Yay! It's literally getting better daily.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-I joined Weight Watchers, lost 15 pounds in 2 months, got cocky, then got stressed and gained it all back. Now I'm back on it. Yikes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-My community that I run with is planting a church! It's going to be amazing. I can't wait until January when it arrives, but until then it's a fun season of preparation. Yay! :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-We completely redid our living room. It looks pretty cool :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-We started training for a half marathon, but then things with the church plant became a little more time intensive, and we backed off a bit. Looking forward to retraining starting next week. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So I feel like there's so much more that's been going on, but that's all I got for now. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In other news, I had a fun art project yesterday. I have become super enthralled with Pinterest (you can follow me<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://pinterest.com/tania0809/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">here</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> btw) and I found the cutest idea on there. I wish I could take credit for the idea, but it just wouldn't be true. I can't find the original pin where I saw this idea, but someone basically found some cheap, not so pretty artwork at a garage sale or salvation army or something, cut out letters to spell out a phrase, glued them on and spray painted the rest of the board. Then you remove the letters and viola! Art.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We had this cheap ($5 to be exact) art canvas from IKEA that had been hanging in our craft room/office as a placebo art piece, so I thought it would be the perfect time to spruce it up. I have a Cricut machine, so I cut out my letters from the Songbird font cartridge. If you don't have a Cricut you can print letters off your computer, then trace them out and cut them. Same idea. :) I chose the phrase "exceedingly, abundantly" which is from Ephesians 3:20 (&21)- "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, u</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">nto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." It's such a great reminder of God's heart and character for us. Love it. Here's the canvas and my letters:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeu1rz3rkUozNbRDX-Gc2CG4atAeNECfdh8UlGytO4VI_UqXOeroZV9KqWmHFRBt9xHY2VNoU_gtzyPXPHtygMbK_9zVOC6gycPk1CkVTRo0phDZ1FpfX2lZhhTEbiTjU8tjv5jHDUY8/s400/photo-26.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666882268942201570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then I headed outside with a can of spray paint and did my first coat:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYZfYNRDkAlsEaIShP1wMP8EshGtKUz0yz3iEjfL0DzHocDCNlxKzBRijDbwfSfOsWBdFycvGPw5u89Z4wNK1ranusqD4sh9bwWWaM1nhBLxwqvWHzWdYI1eTuU9spAyJyOuEDf61QW4/s400/photo-27.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666882520331740082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then I asked my technological best friend/assistant/robot/whatever, Siri, to set me a timer for 5 minutes. She's just fun to talk to.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nPgDn8wxOHuar0IrtCiDgFECZx5FcGWV9yYg_nGupnmnl_UT5J74HD8ZzSOOrKHF5gaCScAUHq-Xoq5PhCfLMU0tJRbViyWd0IOjrwTYtyosM9L2oHhEZ7un5bUZ-pKhq2Fo4H5UlBg/s400/photo-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666882089302658162" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wait your five minutes patiently...or you can be like me and tap your foot and will time to speed along. :P Then do your second coat:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3eCvyLU77aqfNzFSOq37pPEjZFpVd9n5QZAHzN0pjEm9BW-M-3SgeQx3akNvgSPDwjhlTKdGFtIUZVnyb1cq3oIPFSMEaHuok6_1jT_bgggyZCRQoHgwUQ2YJMcxYmuceMpQGYnGRRo/s400/photo-28.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666882591701738930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Looking better- but then I did another 5 minutes and one more coat, just to be safe. As soon as I had sprayed the 3rd coat I immediately began peeling letters off. I would reccomend doing this while the paint is wet so it doesn't dry and crack when you try to take them off. Here's what I ended up with:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7i4k0P8ZtkWK9oFp_uz413YSD1plPChz2rwOcVstzkjR2-RNwEchTquM4f0mhyiAMvK7PRdnWvctTCwut3VdVVJbZKoEBsEQHdVTZXz_K8668vMJzMNIutXtaGX-EJxK629jCITltSTw/s400/photo-29.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666882650710771810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am really happy with how it came out. It was just so cheery and colorful and vintage-y, which I love. (I went back and sprayed the bottom left corner for more coverage, btw). I liked it so much I decided to do another in fact.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJh1uhQc1BXLkdwD56T9-wuHy0Vzx1nylnN6DQlhFjp0RNdW6A-mIughZTw77nF_oQqc4XiNB9tIJy-aWsTMYvNuAVv3NY7VbMEx8orjubC3I9NYjwtMgO4xWsQzmdQwYxtWP1dPuTAt0/s400/photo-30.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666882757076090786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This comes from Matthew 6:25-27: "</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="woc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="woc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="verse-num woc" id="v40006027-1" style="padding-right: 0.15em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a class="va" alt="esv_01" rel="v40006027" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; "></a></span></span><span class="woc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This verse is such a great reminder not to get caught up in the day to day worries of life and to instead focus on the big picture and the goal at the end. I also was able to use the Cricut to cut a bird for the bottom right, which I thought was very appropriate. :) Same steps- here's my result. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q1S5arXRioQAzRi1bnnhd9PcWtER5-lbz5NYs303UBQD6MqiLghF0Xg2uoQZPRa6I1vj7h0jQVrUqLsbmuxPtzlQf1Fpa82smLPz58hzLD45rNRSBNGcbJakcI-ZOO2San75E7ymc8A/s400/photo-31.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666882825821486674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And here they are, side by side:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OwQPUjHnPJq0KXlMTpZKrTRHurBVm6VJ6ubhyefnLn8_wNTMca3ow1WwbFZbbdO1OYhRyGdh8a8dthcKzbM0BG6Yho4AHp7G9xnoBmxcmkXyAz-dzJ5YdB3opVJL6F0CcT_axzxlFOw/s400/photo-32.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666882879999705346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Not bad for one hour and about $15, right? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tania</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">PS: Don't have an IKEA? Try garage sales, thrift stores, flea markets, craig's list, etc. Or, if you are feeling really crafty- get yourself a blank artist's canvas, and paint yourself a backdrop! Here's a time to experiment, go crazy and bold and see what you can come up with. You may like it so much you don't end up spray painting it after all! </span></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Run To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857365633381999696.post-23199418495347521792011-02-03T07:55:00.001-08:002011-02-03T07:55:54.800-08:00Insane Texas Weather<div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); font-size: medium; "><div style="font-size: 18px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">ACK! The weather here has been crazy! Where is my 105 degree, sunny, sweltering state that I love so much? Driving in to work and home from work the last 2 days has been really scary- there is ice everywhere and us Texans have no clue what we are doing. LOL. Unfortunately it seems like my path from home to work has been mostly neglected by the city workers. Probably because everyone in our neighborhood is retired and aren't leaving their houses anyways and because we aren't close enough to the Super Bowl to be important ;-) I haven't experienced the negative wind chill feel in a while- since my Iceland days, in fact, but it is NOT something I miss! Boo you Old Man Winter!</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">I felt really off today. My throat is burning and my stomach is cramping. :( I also feel bloaty and gross. It's days like today that I wish my jeans were Jeggings or Pajama Jeans (lol) but instead they are stiff denim and they are cutting into my stomach a little bit. Thankfully they weren't even able to be buttoned 2 weeks ago so tight with bloating is an okay start! I was supposed to go to a preview Weight Watchers at Work meeting yesterday but they cancelled it. I'm thinking about joining. It will be nice to have the accountability and the plan. I'm also really intrigued by their new Points Plus plan.</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">Anyways, I hope you all are having an amazing day! : ) Stay warm wherever you are!</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">Love,</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">Tania</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p></div></span>Run To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857365633381999696.post-21873957045466954522011-02-01T05:49:00.000-08:002011-02-01T11:13:01.650-08:00Sleet Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiikAXDe3LQdVWn-LsDKul_wVVlR2WzgmW7oHYqvnuBp3-EdgR838Rcv6kc5EESOzxWHKFARcO3WRauMu7t19c9XQuRYOZmkuthEVQp_9ynZ9P0lUAJT-mwCL1qNOlzHcbXnOxO_-qZQ/s1600/banana.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDLMmmJdVI0QZ6IP55dLcf3vawR7tLGPEVzDxVukvxMr3moX6DniBx6MPSf6ICC_d6t3k9JyBysArAgYkDCjiRT43lYF6PD-vYyoTutSa7RjJ068EzNBMUEU6v_wl2ZOWEJ8ltgF_ZqE/s1600/IMG_0374.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDLMmmJdVI0QZ6IP55dLcf3vawR7tLGPEVzDxVukvxMr3moX6DniBx6MPSf6ICC_d6t3k9JyBysArAgYkDCjiRT43lYF6PD-vYyoTutSa7RjJ068EzNBMUEU6v_wl2ZOWEJ8ltgF_ZqE/s320/IMG_0374.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568799193230554050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The "historic winter storm of 2011" has officially hit Texas. I woke up this morning to my cell phone at 6:15am buzzing with texts and phone calls from friends, family and co-workers. We were all wondering the same thing- "what do we do??!?!" You see, around this area we actually don't get storms too often. Well, snow storms that is. We get plenty of "Texas Thunderstorms" which are beautiful, fearful light and sound shows that set in between April and May (then the drought season from June through like November, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hahah</span>!!).<br /><br />Luckily, the weather people made the decision pretty easy for me and my crew. Little quips like "If you do not absolutely have to get out and drive we urge you not to" and "driving conditions are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">treacherous</span> if not impossible" as well as scary numbers like 21 degrees (feels like 9!!) had us all calling in to stay home. My boss was extremely gracious and wished me and my husband a wonderful day off. (My husband is a teacher- so of course he didn't have to go in either!). If we had to have a surprise snow vacation day- this is the best day to have it since it's our 3 year anniversary of our first date. :) who would've known where we'd be 3 years later!<br /><br />So we are going to make the most out of this little midweek vacation day. I'm on my second cup of French Roast coffee topped with Almond Milk, my husband is finishing up some grade book work and our two dogs are contently sleeping at our feet. The snow has stopped but the wind is awful so we can hear it howling over our rooftops. Our heat is running as much as possible since many heat lines are bursting due to freezing and it would be awful to not have feet in the 21 degree (feels like 9) weather!<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Journaling</span> and whole grain banana pancakes are a necessity on snow days. I think they should come <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pre</span>-made in those fun emergency survival kits they sell online. We love this brand of mix (found at Costco):<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUpqI6NV_SUCEaRzOsN_jTmUW53rAgGZ9-Q9n5ioovFQPvhGadUYTcIiWHTlQKSF2U6OyEBbIL2OWT2Xaxdy8kGqMHmjbBaCBnO2M2fFNpjUT1les7KeWC8wAaIIYJITzHRNcT8Y73tU/s1600/IMG_0407.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUpqI6NV_SUCEaRzOsN_jTmUW53rAgGZ9-Q9n5ioovFQPvhGadUYTcIiWHTlQKSF2U6OyEBbIL2OWT2Xaxdy8kGqMHmjbBaCBnO2M2fFNpjUT1les7KeWC8wAaIIYJITzHRNcT8Y73tU/s320/IMG_0407.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568798787453328498" border="0" /></a><br />Plus a really well aged banana :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiikAXDe3LQdVWn-LsDKul_wVVlR2WzgmW7oHYqvnuBp3-EdgR838Rcv6kc5EESOzxWHKFARcO3WRauMu7t19c9XQuRYOZmkuthEVQp_9ynZ9P0lUAJT-mwCL1qNOlzHcbXnOxO_-qZQ/s1600/banana.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiikAXDe3LQdVWn-LsDKul_wVVlR2WzgmW7oHYqvnuBp3-EdgR838Rcv6kc5EESOzxWHKFARcO3WRauMu7t19c9XQuRYOZmkuthEVQp_9ynZ9P0lUAJT-mwCL1qNOlzHcbXnOxO_-qZQ/s320/banana.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568799444613827186" border="0" /></a><br />We had a mini "toppings bar" so we could each pick our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">preference</span>...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_An3MALE0jDRQBXRu4be008FoEdOLd0blgpEJNOGLq5bdqNr_Gg7jIQbLV8ZanAv37K9pSEzuu_ghtBApN__RedmSjFCMn015ecsrgX6Wp0g4kn3TGx1TWYteQHS2UUaNCDSna6VpI4/s1600/pancake+toppings.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_An3MALE0jDRQBXRu4be008FoEdOLd0blgpEJNOGLq5bdqNr_Gg7jIQbLV8ZanAv37K9pSEzuu_ghtBApN__RedmSjFCMn015ecsrgX6Wp0g4kn3TGx1TWYteQHS2UUaNCDSna6VpI4/s400/pancake+toppings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568799788134405106" border="0" /></a><br />As you can see, the pancakes look almost as incredible as they taste. Mine are topped with a very thin smear of peanut butter, a drizzle of agave and a sprinkle of cinnamon- well...just YUM.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_An3MALE0jDRQBXRu4be008FoEdOLd0blgpEJNOGLq5bdqNr_Gg7jIQbLV8ZanAv37K9pSEzuu_ghtBApN__RedmSjFCMn015ecsrgX6Wp0g4kn3TGx1TWYteQHS2UUaNCDSna6VpI4/s1600/pancake+toppings.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgls3gNtB-crnVmp03dpSxX6p0N_LsJrf_ZCm4i1iGBqQ1Y89ZjtaLt99Hc60DjGqctEW7jk6AQUzkqebs-O_toOOllFUqJAneuI6xMhpwN67VMkvOnhG63gWfIE1DN_K5xyDxMDbmVx9s/s1600/pancakes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgls3gNtB-crnVmp03dpSxX6p0N_LsJrf_ZCm4i1iGBqQ1Y89ZjtaLt99Hc60DjGqctEW7jk6AQUzkqebs-O_toOOllFUqJAneuI6xMhpwN67VMkvOnhG63gWfIE1DN_K5xyDxMDbmVx9s/s400/pancakes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568799728935668050" border="0" /></a><br />During breakfast we talked about spending some time organizing and cleaning my favorite room in our house- my craft room (slash computer room slash photography studio slash Scott's classroom away from classroom slash coupon cutting center etc etc etc). This is the most colorful, fun, artistic room we have and where I go when I get my creative urges (which is a lot!) Sadly, it's kind of crazy looking right now.<br /><br />See...we are plagued with stacks<br /><br />and stacks<br /><br />and stacks<br /><br />of paper. What kind of paper? Let's see- magazines, items that need to be scanned, receipts to file, Scott's school work for his Master's degree, Scott's school work for his job, coupons, bills that need to be shredded (we paid them first of course!:)), cards, the Dissertation I am editing, Photography contracts, etc. A LOT OF FREAKING PAPER!! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">LOL</span>.<br /><br />The funny thing is I'm normally a pretty organized person. Unfortunately when I was in the depths of despair, cleaning was not my priority (although a lot of times I love to clean when upset. Go figure!) So, note for next time- don't do this. Double note- don't go into the depths! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">LOL</span>.<br /><br />So, after some sorting and organizing I was left with these piles.<br />-Items to be shredded<br />-Items to recycle<br />-Magazines to read<br />-Items to be scanned and categorized into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Evernote</span>.<br />-coupons<br />-my editing work for job <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">numero</span> 2<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh444GazlPHpp7eu1R7GEtwjpei3APVuvmpo2jL0EiBx8Yv1LL7UTJ-ctfI0hXMkU0jL1E6rdlBcEqRc-ViTHcfo3lp3YvXfZgEri4XXxut08GLAU4sPH0stuDHLDjmuaocHCrTf5TGqDA/s1600/paperpiles.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh444GazlPHpp7eu1R7GEtwjpei3APVuvmpo2jL0EiBx8Yv1LL7UTJ-ctfI0hXMkU0jL1E6rdlBcEqRc-ViTHcfo3lp3YvXfZgEri4XXxut08GLAU4sPH0stuDHLDjmuaocHCrTf5TGqDA/s400/paperpiles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568799640125760562" border="0" /></a><br />Do you all have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Evernote</span>? it's amazing. I'm totally going to do a totally separate post just on that one day. But for now, trust me on this one- it rocks!<br /><br />Either way it feels good to have my craft room clean and ready to be crafty! ;-) Now i just need a simple way to organize and keep up with my coupons- anyone have tips?<br /><br />Now that I've done my daily chore (Scott did dishes), I'm going to get to work on editing. Boo. Fake vacation. But at least I'm still in my pajamas! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Haha</span>. :) Afterwards I am going to read something for fun, have some sort of lunch and play some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">FIFA</span> with mi <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">amore</span>.<br /><br />You all have a wonderful day- sleet, snow or shine!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94gTrpVd9hyphenhyphennoFEprUn_qzywZTddXs02QUk8Q5uJBe_ktNxxJ26dV0_ErM1jtvVNilw5hrxz6hUtk29BorAzv5XwCABufZt4mbkDr4k_Go7BbYh1QAZ7xxFqj31klspuvwdRButZTNXI/s1600/sleepy+bells.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94gTrpVd9hyphenhyphennoFEprUn_qzywZTddXs02QUk8Q5uJBe_ktNxxJ26dV0_ErM1jtvVNilw5hrxz6hUtk29BorAzv5XwCABufZt4mbkDr4k_Go7BbYh1QAZ7xxFqj31klspuvwdRButZTNXI/s400/sleepy+bells.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568799873801205954" border="0" /></a> Love,<br /><br />Tania (and Bella :))Run To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857365633381999696.post-10697990526564609842011-01-31T10:52:00.000-08:002011-01-31T10:53:05.286-08:00Life- the heights, the depths.<div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); font-size: medium; "><div style="font-size: 18px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">It's an interesting balance.</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">Life.</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">Sometimes you are on the up and up and there is nothing that you feel can hold you back- you are soaring, flying, free and well!</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">Sometimes you are in (as one of my personal hero's Anne of Green Gables would say) the depths of despair. </span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">Lately, it's been high and then deep. </span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">But through it all- there is hope. Hope that I am not alone, hope that there is better to be had, hope that I can succeed and hope that even if my worst fears do come true, in the end it really will all be alright.</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">Since blogging last a lot has happened. I've started my own photography business. I've gotten a part time job editing dissertations. I enjoyed the holiday season with my family. I almost lost my full time job (I didn't). I was set free from unnecessary guilt. I almost was offered an amazing opportunity and in the last few moments I lost it.</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">Some things haven't changed at all. I still have an incredible husband. I still have a faithful, merciful God. I still have the most wonderful friends and a loving family.</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">My circumstances haven't really changed, but my heart has. Where there was a shallow, 2 dimensional, surface level beliefs in basic concepts there is now a deep, abiding, 3 dimensional, raw, real faith that only suffering could etch and pull out. If you have ever had any really crummy time period in your life, whether it lasts 2 days or 2 years you have the choice to </span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 18px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 18px; ">choose how you will let it affect you</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">.</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">Will you become embittered and hard, or will you allow the experience to shape and mold you into something even lovelier, even warmer, even more empathetic towards man kind? Will you eventually look back and be grateful for that time frame, or will you curse those days over and over. Forgiveness towards others is an important healing step- but even more so is healing towards yourself. </span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">As you have been forgiven- forgive others, forgive yourself. Love others, love yourself, love your past, love your current, love your future. Love your body, love your mind, love your God, love your neighbor with every ounce of your being. </span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">So here I am again. Back on this journey. I guess I was never really off path in the first place! :)</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "><br></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; ">Love.</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: 18px; "></span><span style="line-height: 18px; "> </span></p></div></span>Run To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857365633381999696.post-71610403493126320492010-12-09T17:34:00.000-08:002010-12-09T19:13:27.919-08:00A New Morning RoutineThat little exercise yesterday hit me a little harder then I had anticipated. Although I knew my priorities were off a little bit I didn't realize how...trivial my life is seeming on a list. I know my life is defined by way more then 10 things but it was a good reminder of my priorities and making sure that my time is portioned out to things that are long term goals of mine.<br /><br />I felt a little overwhelmed trying to figure out where I would find more time to do things I loved, and it dawned on me that getting up earlier would be a great time to get a few more hours to do whatever I felt like. Normally I am up at 7:30 since I don't have to be at work until 9, but I decided to get up at 5:30 am with my husband (he's a teacher) and see what I could accomplish.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It was AWESOME.</span><br /><br />I started out my morning with reading some scripture and meditating and journaling to get my mind and soul prepared for the day. Scott was sweet enough to make me some coffee- it makes me a little sick to drink caffeine on an empty stomach so it was mostly for smell and mood effects until I got to breakfast.<br /><br />After journaling and kissing my husband goodbye, I threw on some jeans and a hoodie, grabbed my camera and slipped into the backyard. It was beautiful out. It was still and quiet and smooth and creativity seemed to just permeate the air around me. I've never considered myself a morning person (although I really want to be one), but I could definitely see the appeal. I took pictures of EVERYTHING in my backyard- grass, leaves, dirt, bricks, fences, houses, and of course- the biggest stars of the morning my 2 dogs Boomer and Bella. They sure didn't mind showing off for the camera!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghf7ktK1EMtDjp_Uy4q2Dx72_Qk4XOutjBWuYp7f-HSuyuLt51jPXvI3t6fcCLYFVNyDAC1tknscWGVKxKtBAYHuKInWPfYVj46yCPtsH7a9eA5yewm4yYYXPddMnWddiKeJODrJU8HkE/s1600/IMG_7083.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghf7ktK1EMtDjp_Uy4q2Dx72_Qk4XOutjBWuYp7f-HSuyuLt51jPXvI3t6fcCLYFVNyDAC1tknscWGVKxKtBAYHuKInWPfYVj46yCPtsH7a9eA5yewm4yYYXPddMnWddiKeJODrJU8HkE/s320/IMG_7083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548878627616042402" border="0" /></a><br />In fact, I figure if I can successfully photograph those two I should be well on my way to photography victory- I am betting most clients won't bark at each other, run in circles and bite each other's legs. Although you never know?!!? Haha!!<br /><br />I was really appreciative and in awe of the sunrise this morning. What beautiful colors are swirled in the sky!! I never take the time to appreciate the little things. I grow almost numb and unbothered by the unique beauty of the orangey-pinky-blue canvas. The trees were almost completely bare except for two leaves- still green and growing upright rather then brown and wilted. Hope. Spring will return!! I miss the warm weather!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPq7cjXFvuUKcj9JYLodMO0RRLvkX1DlDhkhd5TTUZnwCr1vMwP0Vv46__Y1bs9HuZ8Y8MYAPXrq-KJkZ2uNwK9oPlSvmrzu7r_1RjqIUa_Ev-VKxBnw-hKqYoClzzdEuU3VLpX89bIO8/s1600/IMG_7161.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPq7cjXFvuUKcj9JYLodMO0RRLvkX1DlDhkhd5TTUZnwCr1vMwP0Vv46__Y1bs9HuZ8Y8MYAPXrq-KJkZ2uNwK9oPlSvmrzu7r_1RjqIUa_Ev-VKxBnw-hKqYoClzzdEuU3VLpX89bIO8/s320/IMG_7161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548879071928020370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After attempting to dethaw my hands, I decided to whip up some pumpkin pancakes. I used multi grain pancake mix and added Organic canned pumpkin, Allspice, cinnamon, and a tablespoon of Organic maple syrup. Doesn't it look like art?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kjDXRrt_j0SytBuulJkAbmIC-LHOO1nlyBQ_P7dr9yGnUCbKJr4X2DjiIR7zUipBmAADzh1NER7LjOU_oVrBfqTB8HnT_t1Odfn4WCfmJE-a1RbOyHbCAo9oXLSoWczwk9vFEntfT6U/s1600/photo-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kjDXRrt_j0SytBuulJkAbmIC-LHOO1nlyBQ_P7dr9yGnUCbKJr4X2DjiIR7zUipBmAADzh1NER7LjOU_oVrBfqTB8HnT_t1Odfn4WCfmJE-a1RbOyHbCAo9oXLSoWczwk9vFEntfT6U/s320/photo-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548880807232152114" border="0" /></a><br />Breakfast consisted of 4 small pumpkin pancakes topped with blackberries and a little Agave. It was SO good and literally kept me full until 2pm.<br /><br />At work today, I decided to take a bold step that I have been wanting to do for a long time. I decided to throw out a special "promotional" price on my photography on facebook to see how many clients I could get. Within 4 hours I had booked $400 worth of photography. Which is mind blowing. People are totally willing to take a chance on me. I am humbled and excited, but also practicing taking pictures like crazy- I have a couple shoot on Saturday and a Newborn on Sunday! :) Who knows what the future will bring. I'm just mostly excited about the posibilities of it all!<br /><br />For dinner we decided to do something different and made <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2010/11/23/vegan-mac-n-cheese/">Angela's Vegan Mac and Cheese</a>. Oh my goodness....it was awesome. She is brilliant- literally every recipe of hers I have tried is awesome! I also threw together a quick side salad with mixed greens, blackberries, carrots, sunflower seeds, and homemade vinaigrette. (I also put blue cheese crumbles in it...that doesn't even make sense to do with vegan mac and cheese...but it was delicious!!!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_i3obnOi3swYoLxmqpnQXauqxfFOINAnMbcqHZwO04GGXaqvW2vK4ZPhFJlhzCpTPt7ekIYiKgyZlpWF-V-cpZclM-cThTxr8kw7KaPNYbyXh4olDCZQLsQwNlJBpc7ejz8BCqjSYg0s/s1600/IMG_7176.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_i3obnOi3swYoLxmqpnQXauqxfFOINAnMbcqHZwO04GGXaqvW2vK4ZPhFJlhzCpTPt7ekIYiKgyZlpWF-V-cpZclM-cThTxr8kw7KaPNYbyXh4olDCZQLsQwNlJBpc7ejz8BCqjSYg0s/s320/IMG_7176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548885693537218898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsFR6Qo-5EdzjjCl4s4XTA_k7wR36hRPd-ckI6AR2y_o35EiHF9CxPckwS_YL_2g3iHlFSK6UDNf5neseC3jX0z7ckJsjU_aofjqSw9T4nH96pcism0x53hgxlxkhZQkN0eCUqSYGU6g/s1600/IMG_7168.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsFR6Qo-5EdzjjCl4s4XTA_k7wR36hRPd-ckI6AR2y_o35EiHF9CxPckwS_YL_2g3iHlFSK6UDNf5neseC3jX0z7ckJsjU_aofjqSw9T4nH96pcism0x53hgxlxkhZQkN0eCUqSYGU6g/s200/IMG_7168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548883021907884722" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovR84zzXZPK7CdnC-1l-rL5zETshVutWmqGmXkGDIcndmQme-KEALirKn_-3rdfogZY4_kJ0-MlM10UfWWJv8K8K89X8v581BJJ-eZEvjStp6xFju59cH8UzSq2refcejouFDFnaJg58/s1600/IMG_7169.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovR84zzXZPK7CdnC-1l-rL5zETshVutWmqGmXkGDIcndmQme-KEALirKn_-3rdfogZY4_kJ0-MlM10UfWWJv8K8K89X8v581BJJ-eZEvjStp6xFju59cH8UzSq2refcejouFDFnaJg58/s200/IMG_7169.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548883231472748802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Vinaigrette Recipe<br />6 tablespoons olive oil<br />2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar<br />1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar<br />1 tablespoon maple syrup<br />1 tablespoon mustard<br />1 tablespoon Opa Seasoning<br /></div><br /><br /><br />Vinaigrette is superfun to make because there is a lot of creative freedom. The biggest "rule" is to keep the vinegar to oil ratio a 1:3, but I break that all the time because I like mine a little tart, especially when I have salads with fruit. It helps bring out the natural sugar of the berries. In fact, berries and vinegar together are lovely (my 2 favorites are orange vinegar and balsamic for fruit).<br /><br />The big picture:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD0ScuywZFrYvBFjr3y5sBnqsNGmz8nlRJA4aXqsEOIlUCyhgNaBe4Xr0Aku57uL_VfzVilVzS6QXAtmimjnz_dZVcnKqTJNhSoh8WUErqB0Qvr8Vw6-jA9yGfQc75QnkS72SIGYExcM/s1600/IMG_7179.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD0ScuywZFrYvBFjr3y5sBnqsNGmz8nlRJA4aXqsEOIlUCyhgNaBe4Xr0Aku57uL_VfzVilVzS6QXAtmimjnz_dZVcnKqTJNhSoh8WUErqB0Qvr8Vw6-jA9yGfQc75QnkS72SIGYExcM/s400/IMG_7179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548886086530309090" border="0" /></a><br /><br />YUM. Incredible dinner. I also learned a fun fact when making the dressing- my mother was telling the truth about vinegar and sunburns after all!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUwl92GyP_P5Nt-szjV65gDzX1tfGAnT1CJMvaVOJCFGwF1tUcONiXjU1q2tcXsiAVdVkjbUQDQ2fVY_qGMWj9n1fYppT3ERJbtw_FFZmD3rxWBB-3TC325mpm0iGnQbjkIuLsWzvUoU/s1600/IMG_7170.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUwl92GyP_P5Nt-szjV65gDzX1tfGAnT1CJMvaVOJCFGwF1tUcONiXjU1q2tcXsiAVdVkjbUQDQ2fVY_qGMWj9n1fYppT3ERJbtw_FFZmD3rxWBB-3TC325mpm0iGnQbjkIuLsWzvUoU/s320/IMG_7170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548886353079224594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Have a wonderful night!!<br /><br />XoXoRun To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857365633381999696.post-22626114451051852952010-12-09T06:15:00.000-08:002010-12-09T06:18:22.003-08:00Top TenA Coworker of mine told me a great story about his life once. He told me he went to a self-help workshop years ago, and they had a seemingly simple exercise that really changed his life. They had him list out the 10 things he wanted most in life. He filled the list with things like becoming a husband, raising a family, enjoying his free time, traveling the world, etc. Then they had him write a list of the 10 things he actually spent his time doing. He realized what he spent his time doing was not at all contributing to what he wanted to do. He was spending his time buried in legal briefs, working late, not dating seriously, too swamped and busy to even think about traveling, etc. It was this “simple” exercise that changed his life. He quit his high paying legal career in order to take an average paying insurance job that allowed him to have free time and “sanity”.<br /><br />He began enjoying the little things in life, volunteering and really spending time cultivating things that would help him attract and keep a wife and family together. He cooked, he cleaned, he even decorated- he took the time to have fine wine and enjoy good cooked meals with loved ones. My coworker began to save and plan a trip to Europe, something he had never had the chance to do (for leisure) and took off by himself for an amazing 3 week trip, cumulating in Italy. There, in the middle of Italy, on a tour bus, he met a woman traveling by herself from Russia, on a similar quest to see Europe. He was never able to get that woman out of his mind, and a few months later they were married as she came to join him in the United Sates as his wife. They bought a home, and year later they had the most incredible little girl (who I totally adore). Now the happy family of 3 travels and loves like few others I know.<br /><br />Today my coworker has an attitude most would envy. He is not easily stressed or reaching for bigger, better things. He iscontent. What would it be like, to, as he says “be living my dream”? Can any of us really say we are there?<br /><br />Here are the 10 things I want most out of life:<br /><br />1.To glorify and honor God with every ounce of my being.<br />2.To be an amazing wife to my incredible husband.<br />3.To have a large family, and for our families all to be close and full of life, laughter and love.<br />4.To develop incredibly deep friendships that sustain us through our entire life.<br />5.To be healthy, in mind and body.<br />6.To own some land of my own someday with a house that is almost all our own design.<br />7.To travel and see the world.<br />8.To be a photographer- to take pictures of ordinary things and make them completely beautiful.<br />9.To write, to pour out my heart and soul in the art medium of words.<br />10.To give to the people in the world who need it most, to help others receive simple things we take for granted daily, like clean water and unspoiled food.<br />Here are the things I actually spend my time doing:<br /><br />1.Working at my job- something I’m good at and mostly enjoy, but not something that’s in a field listed above.<br />2.Spending time on social media sites, like Facebook.<br />3.Spending time with Scott<br />4.Texting<br />5.Spending<br />6.Reading other people’s blogs<br />7.Shopping- buying things I really don’t need.<br />8.Spending time with friends and family<br />9.Exercising<br />10.Church related things- church, small group, personal quiet time, etc.<br /><br />As we can all see- room for improvement! A lot! I have more thoughts on this that I’ll be sharing later, but this is definitely an exercise worth doing and mediating on- who knows, like my friend, it could change your life!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">What are the 10 things you want most out of life? And what are the 10 things you spend most of your life actually doing? Do they line up?</span>Run To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857365633381999696.post-41267911162760022082010-12-08T07:42:00.000-08:002010-12-08T08:00:30.420-08:00My Best Friend's Wedding<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfTB6_1bpRqVmEm-9IYslQQtLWp_6XDSnK1itZrPcCMil4Ba7FVtPBamlC7qskqGICy2WOWRd3yVGsLUNpFAjqUuwJZLZjMAH9XWMyNagPBlfZgPIc0WbZUsOdZBWwu0UgSX2qCP28no/s1600/IMG_6829.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfTB6_1bpRqVmEm-9IYslQQtLWp_6XDSnK1itZrPcCMil4Ba7FVtPBamlC7qskqGICy2WOWRd3yVGsLUNpFAjqUuwJZLZjMAH9XWMyNagPBlfZgPIc0WbZUsOdZBWwu0UgSX2qCP28no/s320/IMG_6829.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548339046176155058" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family:Times;font-size:18px;"><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My best friend got married this weekend.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It was weird.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I don’t mean that to say that it was odd for her to get married, or anything outside the normal happened at her wedding. In fact, it was a seamless </span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">evening and</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> she was (of course) dubiously happy. As her Matron of Honor (I begged her to not make me be a Matron, but rather a Maid- she said that was the trade off for having a year longer of wedded bliss. Boo.), I had a lot of duties to do and a lot to keep me busy, but my mind couldn’t help by wander.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Holy Cow, I can’t believe we have actually both done this.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I remember Christy and </span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, all of 17-18 years old giggling at fraternity parties and talking about how weird it would be to have a </span></span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">boyfriend, </span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">or even just a </span></span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">date.</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> We had our fair amount of attention because we are both redheads and everyone around us was (and sometimes is) convinced we are twins. But, I’m happy to report, we were both pretty choosy in our frat going years and always left the parties alone together, arm and arm.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wmQjRKok0dwhLhBFiPWp2xkRSK7uQs02jpr3vfJ1MEbZkzNzF0HP4WJk_5nGEAjj8J-iIxIoisnJXmvEgl39kmd9kp4TNcs_9QNrHc2b851QLt4LmKwhKaRVmazRg5TLMnqGPjaaCbM/s320/n9607403_30180910_4241.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548340060841045394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfTB6_1bpRqVmEm-9IYslQQtLWp_6XDSnK1itZrPcCMil4Ba7FVtPBamlC7qskqGICy2WOWRd3yVGsLUNpFAjqUuwJZLZjMAH9XWMyNagPBlfZgPIc0WbZUsOdZBWwu0UgSX2qCP28no/s1600/IMG_6829.JPG"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfTB6_1bpRqVmEm-9IYslQQtLWp_6XDSnK1itZrPcCMil4Ba7FVtPBamlC7qskqGICy2WOWRd3yVGsLUNpFAjqUuwJZLZjMAH9XWMyNagPBlfZgPIc0WbZUsOdZBWwu0UgSX2qCP28no/s1600/IMG_6829.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfTB6_1bpRqVmEm-9IYslQQtLWp_6XDSnK1itZrPcCMil4Ba7FVtPBamlC7qskqGICy2WOWRd3yVGsLUNpFAjqUuwJZLZjMAH9XWMyNagPBlfZgPIc0WbZUsOdZBWwu0UgSX2qCP28no/s1600/IMG_6829.JPG"></a></span></span></span></p><div><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I remember at 18, a few weeks before college having a real encounter with God and giving my heart, mind and soul to Jesus, never regretting and never looking back. Sweet Christy followed a few months after, and we experienced the most incredible and sweet spiritual growth, running back and forth to </span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">each other’s</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> rooms with new Bible verses to share-</span></span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Can you believe he has numbered each sky and knows them all by name????</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> That particular night at a college worship service “Indescribable” by Chris Tomlin was played- a song about God knowing and numbering stars in the sky. God was romancing and serenading us in a way only He could.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When I was 20, I had my first boyfriend. Although we were together almost two years, that relationship was long distance and only slightly changed Christy and </span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I’s</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> relationship, although I was with him a lot on weekends. She knew he wasn’t right and that it wouldn’t last. And she was right. Although that relationship took me through Junior year all the way through graduating and moving back to Texas, she was there for me to cry on and was incredibly supportive of all my sappy wailings of being “alone forever”. She assured me I wouldn’t.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Again, she was right.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Although I was single for almost exactly 1 year (2 weeks short of 1 year exactly), she assured me the entire time that God had the right man for me and He was preparing us both for each other. I had my first date with Scott February 1</span></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 7px; vertical-align: super; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">st</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and wasn’t sure 100% what I thought. I had made a vow, see, not to let my heart get carried away with a man until I knew for sure he was right. She told me to give it time.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I’m so glad she did. A mere 2 months later, on a trip visiting his extended family, we stole some time alone to take a trip to Savannah, GA. There in the courtyards of a beautiful church on a park bench in the sunshine we fell in love. (Well, we had been falling, but that’s the point we both count of knowing). Sitting in silence of </span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">a that</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> moment, sun warming our faces, butterflies in our stomachs and Goosebumps on our flesh- we knew. This was something different. It was almost sacred.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnwykO0dqDhNBSDnrvzjd6Rv1ROm3NdVDZoYfnZCmChvOBM3k7plKRc1-rHiEZxeQj6ZHY0hVIWnEGXnbkyqk4BQFNPM8ZoqMuwBB2sQoKtogN4oaWpkDAHbYUmVo3VvCWi_xe6jWfMk/s1600/n596341367_1086677_2718.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnwykO0dqDhNBSDnrvzjd6Rv1ROm3NdVDZoYfnZCmChvOBM3k7plKRc1-rHiEZxeQj6ZHY0hVIWnEGXnbkyqk4BQFNPM8ZoqMuwBB2sQoKtogN4oaWpkDAHbYUmVo3VvCWi_xe6jWfMk/s320/n596341367_1086677_2718.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548340946547781330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">From that moment there was no looking back. 4 months later and we were engaged, a year later and we were married. Christy was there for the parties, and of course the wedding, making the dull 4 hour trip between her house and mine without complaint. When I bought a house, she was there to decorate it. When I was worried about wedding planning, she was there to make me laugh. Always just a text, email or phone call away, I knew she had my back.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then I was in wedded bliss.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I so wanted the same for my sweet friend, but she was happy as she was. She told me she’d be fine and </span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">when the time was right her man would come. So I didn’t worry. </span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On Valentine’s Day of this year, Scott and I were celebrating our 2 year anniversary of our first kiss. Meanwhile, in Oklahoma City, Christy and Casey were having their first date. He arrived with a single red rose to take her out for sushi then desert. They were both hooked. </span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">They got engaged </span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">August 25</span></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 7px; vertical-align: super; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">th</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and were married December 4</span></span></span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 7px; vertical-align: super; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">th</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. She was gorgeous. </span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Literally a fairy-tale bride.</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> We toasted, we danced, we giggled…and before she left, we</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">remininced</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. As we were lining up to do their grand exit, panic fluttered into my chest- I had forgotten to say goodbye! I ran to the </span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">brides</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> room and found her and Casey there, looking totally radiant. I gave her a hug, and with tears in my eyes told her that we finally were both here, and that marriage was incredible. </span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">That I loved her and would pray for them every day.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Which I do, and I will. </span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It’s a funny feeling when you are that close to someone and get to see them go through a life-changing celebration. There is joy, there </span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">is memories</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, and somewhere, deep down, there is a hint of bittersweet. I wonder if she felt that way about my wedding. Perhaps when she gets back from Hawaii, I’ll ask her.</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgWQjZSonskDpDBqHbJGv3WQGA6hj1bSL8CVrdsNE0OLdc_2cV82NUEf7ktxSlc1c6psInzAhO3HK9MP35PuSXBbt8Fq3Xvp7SD1oeH1FLEhWTRAUKiuTPjIYVWu8d_wAYX4_2IucNqA/s320/IMG_6927.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548341562034240466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></p><div><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Until then, congrats Christine and Casey.</span></span></span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Love you dearly!</span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">xoxo</span></span></span></p></span>Run To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857365633381999696.post-17681031016492655142010-12-03T07:28:00.000-08:002010-12-03T07:27:54.936-08:00Death, A funeral & Other Random Bits<div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); font-size: medium; "><div style="font-size: 18px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">So since I last blogged 3 months</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "> ago there have been some changes. I was 1 week into my "Vegan lifestyle" trial and doing well when…death happened. A family member of my husband passed away. He wasn't someone that I had the opportunity to grow close to but in the few times I was with this man I was touched by his strength and love for his family. He was a good father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather. It wasn't without warning. Cancer always lets you know it's coming to collect you and take you home, but that doesn't make it any easier. There was mourning and grief. I grieved </span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">for Scott (my husband),</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "> and my sweet in-laws and sobbed my way through the beautiful funeral. Death isn't something that is new, but it is still a hard lesson to partake in. </span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">To get to the funeral we did a 14 hour drive to South Carolina with my husband's sister and her husband. They are a wonderful couple so 18 hours in a car together wasn't awful. </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-family: Symbol; ">J</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "> Needless to say there wasn't a whole lot of healthy vegan options along the way, so that, coupled with grief, coupled with amazing South Carolina BBQ lead me to break the diet. </span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">That wasn't the end of the journey with experimental Veganism for me. I have been accepted as part of a clinical study for weight loss doing a 4 month vegan study. I will get to meet with nutritionists, get meal planning advice and have access to the country's top physicians who will be flying into Dallas to meet with </span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">lil</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "> old me and 60 other co-workers. </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 18px; font-family: Symbol; ">J</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">Hopefully we'll start the program in January. I'm excited to see what happens.</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">At the beginning of November I completed the Susan G Komen for the Cure and walked 60 miles over a span of 3 days. As tough as the walk was physically, it was nothing compared to raising $2,500 to participate! But we made it and I was really proud of us. It was incredibly emotional and touching. I would recommend anyone to try it at least once! After the walk the weather grew chilly and my body and mind grew lazy and I had a pretty rapid weight gain of 7 pounds over a month. I have snapped back into the mindset and started monitoring my portions and exercising. I went for my first run in 6 weeks on Wednesday. It wasn't as terrible as I thought it would be but I definitely have lost some of my endurance. It will be a fun challenge to build it back up!</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">In other non-health news my birthday was in November and as his gift to me Scott</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "> turned our library into a craft room! It was a fun challenge for </span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">us,</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "> he painted the room an amazing creamy teal that screams out "Martha Stewart!" (</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">aka</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "> let's get crafty!). We custom built the half of the desk using scrapbook storage kits and some creatively jointed closet shelving. It's great to have an outlet to use when it's unbearable to go outside. I've been making lots of cards using my </span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">Cricut</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "> (funnest machine ever), and started sewing a bit. We got a great deal on the </span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">Cricut</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "> and a Sewing Machine on black Friday! So who knows what I'll craft up next? It's officially my favorite room in the house though!</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">I also have been really getting back into photography and studying that art. Scott and I are taking a Photoshop class during the Spring Semester- it'll be fun to be in class with my husband! I've been reading up about lenses- my three next purchases (slash desired Christmas gifts) are a Kelly Moore Bag (so cute!</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">) ,</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "> a 50mm lens and a 28mm wide angle lens. If only photography equipment was cheap!</span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; "><span class="s1" style="line-height: 18px; ">Love!</span></p></div></span><br><br></div>Run To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857365633381999696.post-81783979678948687802010-08-18T06:19:00.000-07:002010-08-18T06:48:04.641-07:00Moral Judgement/ Skinny Bitch (the book!)Good morning!<div><br /></div><div>I hope everyone is having an incredible day so far. I am happy I've finally had a chance to update. :) Writing is so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">therapeutic</span> for me- there's nothing like ripping open your soul and pouring it out- letter by letter, word by word. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday was not the best day for me. I was having some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">frustrations</span> and freaking out that my weight has not changed in 2 months. I had a long, hard talk with my husband about my feelings and my temptations. Why is the temptation always so strong to sink back into that old, comfortable, bitter place of self-inflicted desperation? To battle against the seemingly age-old motto "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels"?? Regardless I refuse to let myself be led astray by my old "friend". it was good to be so open and honest with my hubby, to have that intimate soul to soul conversation that i can really only have with him. </div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of intimate conversations, I had a humbling, hard text message with my little sister yesterday. Over the past 6 months of so she has lost about 70 pounds- she looks amazing, but as always jealousy reared it's ugly head in my heart and I had been unable to be genuinely happy for her. She looks a m a z i n g. Stunning. She's always been gorgeous to me of course, but she truly looks like she's come into her own. It's been really hard for me since I've always been the "thinner" one (but not really thin at all) and I am neither the thinner one nor the one who is healthier. On a recent family vacation- person after person complimented her and ask for diet advice while i just stood there stupidly feeling fat and sorry for myself. I know that there is so much more to worth then weight or looks, but at the time it was hard to hear and felt like a slap in the face. I made some very snide comments to her, which is what I apologized for and explained how I had been feeling. She was very gracious to me and I feel better that our relationship is no longer strained. </div><div><br /></div><div>My sister was able to lose so much weight by switching to a vegan diet. She is one of the only vegans I know who doesn't necessarily care about animals or the environment but rather weight and what she's putting into her body. I have dabbled around with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">vegetarianism</span> for a while but for the opposite reason. I feel deeply moved and concerned when I eat an animal and allow myself to seriously think about what I'm putting in my mouth. I feel guilty eating a chicken or a cow while staring into my dog's big brown eyes. What makes a cow or a chicken or a pig different from a dog? They have feelings and emotions too. In other countries people eat dogs and it's perfectly acceptable but they revere cow. Why is this so disgusting to us? Why not eat a cat? These are just questions I've been throwing around for a while, trying to find out what a good stewardship of earth looks like to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been having stomach problems for awhile and the doctor ran a few tests but couldn't figure out what exactly was going on. I hadn't had any problems in a while but yesterday my stomach issues flared up and I spent the entire evening in bed sipping on tea. I decided to read Skinny Bitch, which my sister <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">recommended</span> to me and ended up finishing the entire book in an hour! The book was...<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">graphic</span>. Really, really graphic. The way the authors described the treatment of animals made me gag and tear up. I put my head on my husband's chest and said "i don't think I want to eat animals anymore" and he stroked my face and whispered "baby you don't have to. We don't have to if you don't want to." (isn't he the most amazing husband ever!!!!! like out of a movie!!)</div><div><br /></div><div>As far as the book itself goes I don't think I would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">recommend</span> it to everyone. A lot of it was crude and really harsh IMO (ex: "if you eat sh** you are sh**.") This book would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">definitely</span> NOT be for someone suffering from self esteem issues or recovering from ED. BUT- if you want a somewhat entertaining, very informative read and can handle the put-downs, you may learn a thing or two. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>So what does this all mean for me? Between what I've seen with my sister, what I've read in that (and other) books, my own moral convictions and my stomach problems (meat and dairy are two of the hardest foods to digest) I have decided to cut back. WAY back on meat and dairy especially. I'm excited for the challenge and to try and incorporate more foods that I normally would eat meat instead of. I am not expecting myself to never eat meat or dairy ever again but I do want to try to do 30 days to see if it helps my weight, skin, mood and stomach. We shall see. There's got to be a easier way to do all this... anyone else feel the same way? </div>Run To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857365633381999696.post-33925608420143660732010-04-13T21:42:00.000-07:002010-04-13T21:55:26.299-07:00Hello!I've always considered myself a writer.<div><br /></div><div>From wanting to recreate stories for my classmates in kindergarten to creating <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SATC</span> Carrie-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">esque</span> type <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">columns</span> in college- words have always been near and dear to my heart. I majored in Journalism, graduated with big ambitions to document the world, and have done so through various mediums- photography, interviewing and studying people from all backgrounds. I have failed, however, to return to my first love- to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">journaling</span>, writing, and keeping a detailed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">record</span> of my life. </div><div><br /></div><div>I want one day to be able to share this with my friends, with my children- to look back and say "look- look how far I've come!" There is so much that I want to achieve in my life- I want to continue on this healthy lifestyle and my quest for radiance- physically, spiritually and mentally.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have dealt with negative self image for too long. Am I perfect? No. Am I loved, cherished and treasured? Yes. It's time I learned to embrace myself, flaws and all! I have been in the lows nutritionally- both by binging and overeating, to starvation. I have seen the effects mentally, physically, emotionally...not pretty. I am here on a quest to love- love myself, my husband, my family, my friends and the beautiful world around me. For the first time in my life- I feel passion- passion for good, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">solid</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">nutritional</span> foods, passion for running and biking, for photography and for those around me. It feels amazing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for reading. I look forward to sharing my journey with you. :) Watch me Run To Radiance!</div>Run To Radiancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04623653916070715998noreply@blogger.com0