A Good Read: The Shack

I just finished the book, The Shack. I have been working on reading it since Christmas...and finally made time to sit down and finish it. (One thing to mark off the list and it is not even February yet!)

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to visualize what it could be like to literally spend a weekend in God's presence. Now this was someone else's interpretation of what it could be like, but the words are moving. What I liked most about it was that there were so many good phrases that really resonated with me- so many things that made a lot of sense the way they were written.

There are two things that I am taking away from this book:
1) Everything happens for a reason- and this is God's plan. But even when we can't imagine why certain things are happening to us, we need to have that faith, don't blame anyone, especially God, and forgive immediately. Trust God.

2) He is always with us, no matter how alone we may feel. Enough said.

It is an inspiring book and the words leave you wanting more!

I LOVE Coupons

One of the best perks of buying a house is that you get some random stuff in the mail! This past week, I got letter and coupons from both Pottery Barn and West Elm.





I have no doubt I will be able to find something fun! I just need to take some time to see what I need.....any ideas???

Thank Goodness It's almost February!

I don't know about you, but I am ready for February! We are getting closer to warmer weather :) They say that January is the most depressing month of the year, and I couldn't agree more. No wonder no one can keep a New Year's Resolution- the odds are definitely against you! So for all of you who are looking back over the past month, thinking, "Maybe next year...", don't give up just yet! As Henry Moore says, "I think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the year's."

So even if I haven't been reaching any goals set for myself, I am going to start over. This coming month, I have a list of things that I would like to do:

• Get back on track with working out. All those resolutioners should be giving up about now, so I have one less excuse not to go to the gym. Now getting past the cold weather is another story....
• Paint my bathroom. This one is already kind of started- I have the paint already!
• Finish some books. I have plenty that I want to read, I just need to do it.
• Catch up on my scrapbooking. I am still on last year! My friend over at Simply MJ has inspired me to get back to being crafty :)
• Reorganize my closets and cabinets.
• Make a trip to Lexington

Ok, so that may be a little ambitious considering this is a short month, and with work picking up I find that I have less time to spend on things because I feel so tired and lazy when I get home. But I do think that by making little steps like this, I will see how they transfer into long-term results :)

Well, I am happy that I have specific things to look forward to! And I hope you can look forward to more posts now too! I encourage you to make a little To-Do for this month as well, and remember that you can start over every day :)

And yay for the end of this month! I am ready for my new beginning.

Did ya miss me???

So it is a good thing I didn't resolve to be a better blogger this year, because clearly I need some help in this area. I guess I will update you on some things going on in my life, but honestly, the reason I haven't written is because I don't think I have had that many interesting things to talk about.

Work has been crazy these past few weeks. I have had a lot of experience trying new things, but it is not anything I think I want to do with my life. Last week I got some good news that I will be managing our huge service event we are holding for our clients this spring! I am not sure if my definition of "managing" is the same as the rest of the company, but at least I am finally involved in the one thing I have wanted to do since I started this job. I will get to work with the foundation created by the coach of the local NFL team so I am so excited to meet them and hopefully get more involved in that fund. This week marks my six-month "anniversary"- I cant believe it. I have to go to lunch with my career lead tomorrow to discuss the past six months and whats next. Yikes!

Besides work, I haven't really done much that much. I have been spending a lot of time with my parents, and surprisingly I haven't minded at all. I really love spending time with them. They are my best friends and I am so thankful to have them. This weekend, my dad called to see if I needed anything hung around my place and before you know it, we are painting my kitchen and entry (pictures to come soon). It was so spontaneous of me but I am glad to have that done! It makes it more homey and welcoming here.

I have also gotten to know my neighbor. I have enjoyed hanging out with her the few times we have! She has a little Gabby too, so I should have known we would have been friends with our great taste in dogs :)

Most of you reading this know that I have a slight obsession with weddings. so I thought it would be a good idea to get a bridal workout routine for big bros wedding. Well today was day 1 and when I left work it was snowing like crazy so I decided not to go to the gym. Ha any excuse to not go :) Oh well tomorrow is a new day! I think painting wore me out...


See, nothing too exciting to update you on, but at least you know I am still alive! I will try to do better but I am not making any promises.