EB Writes

Looking back...

2010-03-16T21:18:00.003-04:00

So this past year has been quite a crazy one that's for sure, but mainly things around here have been the same. I'm trying to be more purposeful with life in general and to do that sometimes you have to look back and be grateful for where you came from and for the things that have happened. This is something I'm not very good at- let's just say at the heart of me I tend to let the negative things keep my focus instead of let them float away and remember the positive things. Anyway, here's a compiled list of events, moments where I learned or I'm grateful for, a few things I loved, and then some random things from this past year.

1) I started out my last birthday being unemployed for the 3rd time here in Vermont. Which at times seemed like another downer, but at least this time I was earning some unemployment income. I was also able to do a few things like visit my in-laws for a week, go to Ikea in Montreal with my cousins, participate in a sleep study in Boston, and I suppose I had time to find another job, though there was an increase to the benefits and the thought of 48 weeks of unemployment income actually seemed a bit tempting. =)

2) Sleep Study #1 - This will hopefully soon gets its' own post so I can fill you in on some details, but in short, this is something I found on craigslist persued for 10 weeks and finally entered into a white room for 9 days where I was deprived of sleep for 50 hours and then a day later for another 36 hours. Overall, I learned that physical things are mostly mental- that's why playing boggle after being awake for 2 straight days was actually still fun even when my body was in pain and aching for sleep. Oh yeah, and I earned a little over $2000 for it too!

3) "Weekend to Remember" is a Marriage Conference that hubby and I attended immediately after my sleep study. It was in the same area to I thought it was perfect timing. We had never been to one of these and it was great. I loved renewing our vows and meeting other couples that longed for a Christ-centered marriage. I highly reccommend this conference. We're looking for something similiar to do this year, let me know if you have any ideas!

4) Easter! This was the first Easter I spent with my family in years! My mom knows that the two things I love most to get is 1) Christmas Stockings and 2) Easter Baskets, other than that just a simple card brings a smile. She always puts together a myriad of things and waking up to an Easter Basket, even at 24 never felt so good. I loved how my family of all adults had a ton of kids over for egg hunts. My sis and I even had these really cool eggs that looked like grass, rocks, tree bark- they are awesome!

5) Bought my first NEW car! My husband and I had been sharing one car for almost a year, after my first car, a 1998 Nissan Altima, died after it's 322,000 mile life. After it died we really wanted to be able to see how long we could get by on only one car and also wanted to pay in full for our next car. So for abour a year I walked to work, and we both took a lot of rides from people. But, after finding a job that was 16 miles away and not a great bus route we finally decided to break down and buy a brand new 2009 Nissan Versa. It's a great little car that fits perfectly in our silver nissan family (our other car in 2001 Nissan Xterra).

6)In direct correlation, with the sleep study I wanted to push my physical abilities even more. So I signed up for the Avon Breast Cancer 39 mile Walk in Boston, MA. To even enter each participant also needed to raise $1800, so with the help of family and friends I managed to raise $1810 in just a few weeks- THANK YOU!! When the weekend finally came, I was suppose to walk 39 miles, a marathon on one day and half a marathon on the next. Well I only made it the first day- 26.2 miles. Did I mention I only trained for about 3 weeks, which really only consisted of my walking on much lunch breaks for about 30 minutes and on the two weekends for a hour or so? I was still super happy to make it a full marathon. I've never walked a marathon before! Also, just 4 days later I walked another 5k for my company's corporate cup. I definitely learned you can push yourself further than you think (pain is weakness leaving the body right?) and I also learned the importance of training- less blisters and less hobbling around afterwards.

7) Janette's Wedding- This summer Matthew's cousin Jannette was married to fellow Air Force Officer, Seth Taylor. This is the first wedding Matthew and I have been able to attend since we were married back in 2005.We had so much fun being around the Foy family and this special couple.

8) First summer in VT- Yes, this was my first full summer living in Vermont since the last two were spent in mission trips to Australia and Africa. I was finally able to be home for a Vermont summer and be in the "warm" weather here. It rained most of the summer days, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

9) Family Visits- We were so blessed to have some family come and visit. First we had my mom visit-It was her first time to Vermont. We visited the usual places- Ben & Jerry's, Van Trapp Family Lodge, and she loved the Skinny Pancake. My sister also visited for the second time and we had a fun time like we always do. We went to a waterfall, went shopping and celebrated Matthew's 25th birthday. Also, matthew's uncle Dan, aunt Kim, and two cousins Mary and Jennifer came for a visit- our house was full! We met a goat that can put a rope to feed inself a treat. We love having family and friends visit, so come anytime!

10) Cape Cod Getaway- Matthew and I went on a mini getaway just to go to the beach and getaway! It was so nice to put my feet in the sand and feel the warm sun on my skin. I just can't get enough of it!

11) Times of trials- I can't just overlook or forget when sad things happen. It's part of me, it will always be, but that doesn't mean I have to let it get me down or keep me from moving forward. We don't know why tragedy occurs, why it occurs to us in particular, and we ask ourselves if we did something to cause it, and sometimes we don't get all the answers to these questions. All I know is that I trust in the Lord. I put my faith in Him above all that happens in this life. I know He has good plans and a future for me, for you, for all of us. I'm letting this heart break of a moment drive me close to him and hopefully closer to His will for my life. It will not be soon forgotten, but maybe one day I will be able to look back and just know it was for His perfect plan.

12) Decorated my dining room and living room- Now this may not sound too exciting to you, but I have never had the talent and vision when it comes to decorating. In the summer of 2008 I traveled to Africa and bought many things to decorate my dinning room- I love themed room that have to do with traveling! But I could not think of how to even begin. Finally, when my mom came up for another visit we planned to have a makeover week. We went to work finding things at Good Will, Home Depot, TJ Max, Marshalls, and Big Lots. It was a crazy busy week, that caused a few minor bumps and bruises (sorry about your ankle mom- best mission impossible somersault I ever saw!), but we finished it. It's so nice to see something up on our walls and to remember my trip to Africa ever time I eat- makes me grateful with every bite I eat! (Hope she can come back and we can finish the upstairs!!)

13) Met my favorite author Elizabeth George- This was definitely a highlight!! I first read A Woman After God's Own Heart when I was 20 and had been married for a few months. I got really sick with Mononucleosis and was literally in bed for weeks that's when I read this pink book of hope and advice and wisdom. It changed my life! (I always knew there was a reason my mom always kept this book close to her!), and Elizabeth George has written many other books that have helped me in marriage, in my relationships, in my walk with God, and in my dreams of the future. I was so happy to go to the Iron Sharpens Iron conference where I heard Elizabeth George speak, she was everything she said she was and more.

14) Each year I try to stay active in my "creativity" in one way or another. I'm not sure how it really came about, but the past couple of years I've had a go at making diaper cakes for my mom-to-be friends as a part of their shower presents. I've made about ten so far. This past summer one of my friend Michelle was pregnant with baby number two- a girl who she was named Elizabeth. =) So I decided to venture out yet again and try something new for them. So in Michelle's and baby Elizabeth's honor I made a flower bouquet, with little pink, purple, and white socks as the roses. I've made a few others, hopefully I'll get better in time master this little art of sock bouquets.

15) Baby Shower For Bailey- This was so much fun! I've never hosted a baby shower at my house before, but I had co-hosted the two past showers for fellow Marine wives so that gave me some confdence, plus my nearly decorated dinning room fit it right with the King of the Jungle theme. We had the cutest moneky faced cupcakes made by Amelia and the yummest Jungle Juice made by Melissa. I'm sure Bailey was so happy her mom could fly in from TX to attend and I'm sure little Xavier has enjoyed all the gifts.

16) First sledding experience- Mind you it wasn't down the biggest hill and it wasn't the fastest of all sleds, but seriously I couldn't have asked for a better day in the snow with my hubby, pup, and old family friends. Amelie loved taking turns pulling us on the sled. She was made for this type of weather and terrain. I'll never forget this fun day.

17) Road Trip- After spending a wonderful Christmas with my family in Florida I had 1700 miles to drive home. Thankfully, I had good company. For the first part, it was just Amelie and I, we visited my uncle Brooks and Aunt Linda and my cousin Grayson. This was special to me because I hadn't met my aunt or cousin and hadn't seen my uncle in years. The first night I stayed in South Carolina with my cousin Jannette and her two young sisters Mary and Jennifer. Mary and Jen traveled with me to NC to stay with my in-laws and then to New Bern to see my good friends Josh and Jamie and see their lil girl Emily. We also saw Kelly, Mary and Jen's older brother who was about to leave for sea for several months with the USMC. Then we stopped in VA and visited my friend Jadeen and her two boys before landing in PA for the night- Mary and Jen's home. The last leg seemed to take hours, thankfully Amelie endured it and she was never so happy to be home & see Matthew- neither was I.

18) Joined a Gym- I never thought of myself as a gym type of person, I'm not a big fan of weight training and I can't stand paying for something I think I won't use that much. However, this year I finally threw my ideas away and Matthew and I joined a gym. One of the biggest reasons we joined was that I am competing in a sprint triathlon with my mom and sister in May. I am so glad we joined the gym, although Matthew and I don't go together very much, I have been using te best of my ability, going nearly every day, sometimes two or three times in a day. I have learned to like swimming, and my new found love at the gym is Zumba. I am so glad that exercise is part of my DAILY life, not just some days or for two weeks for a few months. I know I need this to be healthy and lively and it feels great, well most days ;-)

19) Bible Studies- This has been such huge blessing to my life this past year. This has been the first full year of a Bible Study since we left North Carolina. So glad that my friend Bailey and I were able to complete our first one "Beautiful in God's Eyes" and started and completed a study on James, both of these were by Elizabeth George. I'm not so sure I could have made it through some of the things that happened without the lessons I've learned from these books. I can wait to see what new Bible Studies and books will teach my heart and soul this coming year.

20) Sleep Study #2- Well, when times get tough and I have no work, it is back to the sleep studys. This one was actually a light study. I had to sit in a chair for around 9 hours a day sometimes in darkness, sometimes in dim lighting, and sometimes in bright lighting. I had a contraption on my head that had a video that watched the reflection of my pupil on these glasses. It's quite interesting really to try and learn what these studies are really for. I saw some of the same techs that I saw last year and it was neat to see how they were doing. I met an awesome Doctor that has really got me thinking about life and my future. Three days, a sore eye, listened to 3 books on tape, paid $1000, and some thoughts about the future- not too bad!

21) Melon Popsicles- A very strange thing. As I dropped off my cousins in PA, Mary offered me a Melon popsicle. I, of course, accepted because basically every Korean food is delicious. I tasted this sweet treat and it instantly made my mouth water. Now mind you I'm never a big fan of certain dishes or foods, I don't crave sweets or salty things. I just eat and that's about it BUT this treat has done a number on me. It's just so yummy. So I picked up two boxes on my way home from Sleep Study #2 and they have been my "treat" for days that I had an extra workout. If you are ever near an asian market, go straight to the freezer section and buy a box- promise you will love it, I know I do!

22) Amelie- Words really can't describe how much this puppy means to me. She has been such a friend this past year. She came to us from my sister-in-law Natalie and I can't help, but be grateful for her. She's through the good times and bad with us, always smiling and knowing just when I need a lick on the cheek. I never thought I'd love a dog this much but I do.

23) Trivia Night- this is just a little something that has become a staple of our week. It's just a game of trivia at our local pub, but it's the one outing every week that Matthew and I look forward to. It keeps our minds active and me always thinking wow I didn't know that! We have come to love all those music, movie, news, and history rounds and welcome anyone to ever join us if you're here in town.

24) CSA- Community Supported Agriculture. We joined a Meat CSA just a few months ago. Matthew and I had thought about doing this a while ago and then never did. Finally this past January we signed up and have been eating local, hormone free, grass fed beef as well as organic pork, chicken, and eggs. This summer we signd up for a vegetable CSA so all summer we will be eating local meat and local veggies! We also recently watched Food Inc and I will definitely be careful about what I eat and be more concerned with where it exactly came from- like they say you are what you eat!

Death and Taxes

2010-02-25T22:42:00.000-05:00

As Benjamin Franklin famously said

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

Taxes seem to be a yearly dread for me because 1) I am the one doing them or 2) If I decide to put them on my Hubby's plate (since I already pay and keep up with all our bills), I will have to then worry about them until they are done. And he will usually wait until the very last minute- literally running to the post office on April 15th. He is and will always be a procrastinator and I can't change that and I love him just the same. I don't normally mind doing our taxes, though the few years we had them done for free on base was very nice and looks better each year (man I miss living near a base =..(. It's just we frequently have irregular circumstances- for me I've had partial residencies in two different states- twice so far, unemployment income which was taxed on some of it and some tax exempt, miscellaneous income, and so it seems there's just always something new. Then of course there are always new tax deductions and credits which requires further research and reading...

For instance, the past two years we've received a VT Landlord's Certificate Form LC-142 in which I looked it over and had no clue what it was. Last year, Matthew was in charge of taxes so nothing happened to it, which didn't harm us really only our pockets. After some reading on the form it looks like if you are a Vermont resident who resides in your rental for 12 months and have a income below a certain amount that you can get a portion of your rent back. Sounded pretty nice to me. Then the process continues by first trying to find two other forms online (Vermont is not so popular on Google so you have to try and try), reading those forms, filling them out, asking questions to an IRS agent online, and voilà it is finally finished. All in all, this headache of research and reading I suppose is worth the almost $600 we are getting back, well... fingers crossed.

So, dear taxes, just wanted to let you know I will be putting up a good fight each and every year, and I’ll become better and stronger. you just wait for next year. I'm sure you'll throw me some punches- new tax laws, new credits, new deductions, but watch out I've been kicking my butt in high gear at zumba so I'll be dancing circles around you! Oh and to the other certainty in life... I hope I don't see you for a very long time- I've got some more living to do and I've got to make it count!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2010-02-20T16:02:00.000-05:00

For Today...

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

Outside my window...

The snow is barely there, I really think this is an odd winter, feels like spring is just around the corner.

I am thinking...

About what I need to do around the house, what to make for dinner, and when I am going to start reading.

I am thankful for...

Time at home, relationship with my Lord, family and friends, healthy and able body, mind, and spirit.

I am wearing...

Jeans, green striped sweater, socks, ring, earrings.

I am remembering...

nothing at the moment, which is fun.

I am going...

to read, clean up, maybe watch the olympics later tonight.

I am currently reading...

Pursuit of God, Good to Great in God's Eyes, How Women Help Men Find God, 100 Days of Prayer for Women, Fireproof Devotional, and all .

I am hoping...

To finish a book or two today and finish cleaning up before I leave for MN on Wednesday!

On my mind...

Looking for more jobs and thinking about future plans, possibly going back to school.

Noticing that...

Amelie is asleep and I need to organize all my Dvds.

Pondering these words...

~Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.~

From the kitchen...

Not much going on there, need to plan the meals for Matthew while I'm gone for the next week or so.

Around the house...

I need to do a bit of cleaning here and there. Otherwise, I'm ready to have some company- any takers?

One of my favorite things~

Korean Melon Popsicles and Melon Hi-Chew candies. The popsicles are very creamy and are my favorite reward to mysel for working out!

From my picture journal...

Missing my sister. Only another month before she comes home. So proud of her!

Traveling Around the World

2010-02-16T00:09:00.000-05:00

Did you ever have to read that book Around the World in 80 Days? I never did and I always thought it was about sailing around the world. (I now know it's just about traveling by ship, train, and other locomotives). But have you ever thought about traveling or sailing around the world? I know I have, but that might be because traveling is an interest of mine. I use to say that I'd fill up a passport before my 25th birthday. I haven't ever filled up a passport, but I have traveled to 3 other continents which include 13 countries. Two years ago I went to Africa, which was a dream come true and I'm already itching to return. And I also keep putting off a trip to Ireland/England that my husband and I have been planning and saving for, but maybe this year? We keep waiting until someone else joins us, we like spending time with each other, but we like the fellowship of family and friends even more. So anyone up for it??

Anyway, back to the subject of sailing and traveling, I wanted to share a blog that simply inspires me for a few reasons. 1) This blog is from a young woman named Abby who is 16. I admire anyone young who goes above and beyond mainly because when I was just 15 the Lord really impressed this verse on my heart "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." I think this young woman is setting her goals high in life and she's not letting anyone tell her that she can't fulfill her dream. 2) Abby is traveling. In fact, she is traveling around the WORLD. Yes. I highly advise people to travel if they have the means and opportunity. Seeing the world teaches us we are not alone, we are only one country, one of the many races, we speak only one language, there is SO much more out there. She is going to experience different cultures, meet people of other races who speak different languages, and see God's beautiful creation as she travels. Yes, these life lessons can not be found in a book. 3) Abby is attempting to be the world's youngest solo circumnavigator. This means she is SAILING around the world by herself! WOW. What responsibility, what an undertaking, what skill, what a dream! Check out Abby's Blog.

I have never sailed by myself, but I grew up with a best friend that loved sailing. Her parents owed a sailboat and I spent many weekends sailing with them. We only sailed down the St. John's river, but I remember all the things you constantly had to check, the terminology you had to know, the different things you needed to race around to do to put up the sail, take it down, dock, and take off; so I can't even imagine all the things she must have had to learn. I really have a lot of respect for her. She is keeping a blog of her travels and so I am following her adventure. She is sailing by herself. I still can't fully comprehend that. This young girl has given me another reason to keep dreaming, to think of the possibilities, to ponder about all those what ifs.. I may feel quite grown up at 24, but after this I'm starting to think this is really just the beginning of life... I can't wait to see what happens!

And remember these words of Mark Twain

~Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.~

Triathlon update...

2010-02-11T23:25:00.000-05:00

Today is exactly four weeks from when I joined the gym so I'd like to update you with what made me smile tonight. Now mind you I didn't start swimming right away and I had missed an entire week due to a 3 day trip to the Brigham and Women's hospital (details coming soon) and to two days with a sore throat and ickyness. But tonight after only being able to swim up to 12 laps = 300m, I swam 20 laps = 500m or a little over 1/4 mile!! I was so excited because I was hoping just to hit 16 laps by week 4 and I was a little scared because earlier this week I was only hitting 8 and 10.But then wow, YAY!! Working out is really paying off. I also need to say that tonight's efforts were after much encouragement from Matthew and although he's not there at most of my swim practices his encouragement to go and join me when he can is much appreciated. I enjoy swimming much more than I thought I would and besides concentrating on my stroke form it gives me time to just "swim and think". It's very peaceful in the water. I can't wait to see where I'll be in another four week. Countdown to Triathalon- 12 weeks 2 days... it'll be here before I know it.

On another fitness point, I'm really taking to this Latin inspired fitness class called Zumba. Check out their site and see if they have a class near you - ZUMBA. It's so much fun and it really makes you sweat. I mean I come out drenched after every class and I drink about 32 oz of water during the class. I love moving my feet to the music with the moves of salsa, merengue, cumbia, reggaeton, cha cha, samba, tango, & hints of flamenco, calypso, hip-hop and belly dancing. It feels great knowing I've burned hundreds of calories too. I'm taking classes three days a week and I can't wait for them to add another day of classes. At the least you will be burning calories and pick up some awesome new dance moves.

A little late, but here's to Five years of Marriage

2010-02-10T22:35:00.000-05:00

On January 29, 2005 I married my best friend, my lover, my soul mate, my earthly companion appointed by God, my rock, my teammate, my partner in crime, the one who loves me so deeply, brings me to laugh each day, and takes my hand when life gets tough. I love him more and more as each day passes. Here's just a couple pictures of us over the past five years.

Who says a woman can lift her man up?

First Marine Corps Birthday Ball as a married couple!

Pinning on Sergeant- so proud of him!

"ghost reenactment" aka we were taking down the chocolate fountain. Happy New Year 2007!

Reenlistment Ceremony- where I received a certificate of appreciation too!!

Our good friend Christopher Cole's commissioning!

Meeting Philip Licquia, son of proud parents Kelly & Mike!

Florida Beach is always where I want to be!

Tunbridge Fair has more cows than most farms.

Snowboarding for the first time (and I think last for me!)

Our first snowman.

Christmas 2007

Moss Glenn Falls in Stowe, VT

Silly Matthew is wearing a friend's wig.

Playing Guitar Hero at Bestbuy- one of matthew's favorite things to do.

Marine Corps Birthday Ball in 2008.

A kiss on the lips to celebrate 2009- Melbourne Beach, FL.

Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL

My mom, and us at the Van Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT.

Us with Matthew's cousins at Jannette's Wedding.

Another part of the Moss Glenn Falls

At a friend's wedding-2009

Lastly- our whole family Matthew, Amelie, and me.

This was so neat looking- I just had to share it with you!

2010-01-23T23:46:00.000-05:00

Photo of the Day for Picture Journal

2010-01-19T13:11:00.000-05:00

Woke up to a winter wonderland. It looks like Narnia outside!

Triathlon... who me?

2010-01-19T12:20:00.000-05:00

Earlier this year my mom and I were talking about exercise and how both of us wanted to make it more important in our lives, an actual priority not just an "if it fits in my schedule activity". We want to break our bad habits of excusing ourselves from exercise and really get it into our daily lives- permanently! She then told me about her friend Janice (who's around my mom's age) participated with her mom (a senior citizen who's now a fanatic about triathlons) and sister in a Danskin Triathlon that takes place in Orlando, FL. It's a team effort each person does one leg of the triathlon. Perfect, I thought, my mom, my sis, and me. Us three would fill the spots and we are a bit younger, we can do this.. right?? This WILL get us to exercise I thought. After more questions I also learned that this is not a true triathlon but a shorter version. And it wasn't until the other day when someone asked me if it was a "Sprint" triathlon and I told him no it's put on by Danskin, then he corrected me and told me that sprint was the name of a shorter triathlon, not the sponsor cell phone company Sprint that I thought he meant. Whoops oh well I'm learning about all this that's for sure.

My mom first decided to do the half mile swim, I would do the 12 mile bike, and Emily would run 3 miles (Em is in another country right now and won't be back until the end of March- she doesn't have access to a bike or a pool so she gets to run- don't worry I know she can do this- just run in place right? ;). I thought the event choices was a good fit.... that is until I came back to Vermont's more than a foot of snow and realized I'm most likely not going to have any chance of riding on a bike outside until after the actual May 8th event. There's too much snow, ice, and slush (did I mention I live in the Green Mountains?? who wants to bike up the mountains when FLORIDA is FLAT!) for me to think about biking outdoors. I could only participate in cycling classes and the stationary bike at the gym. Wow, so then I thought well maybe I'll just train a little on each and see if it's still plausible... mainly because I fear swimming a half mile.

Jan 13th, 2010 Matthew and I headed to the gym to join. Hurray! We've never joined a gym before (he used the one on base in NC and I used the one in our apt complex, then in VT we both used the school gym- no heated pool, lots of students, a 12 mile drive for me), but we decided that we both wanted to go to the gym together and encourage each other to exercise daily. Our first evening was just a quick jump in the pool and then we dashed off to our weekly Trivia Nite. The next day I went to a Kickboxing class that I absolutely loved, but it was sadly the last class due to poor participation. The next two days, yes TWO, I recovered from the class. My muscles are definitely out of shape and sore.

Then comes Sunday, dun dun dunnnnn, the first actual swim practice for Matthew and I (or is it Matthew and me? couldn't figure that out). The pool was a warm 83 degrees and with a splash I start swimming just a bit. Then comes one swimming drill after another from one of the best swim coach (in my experience). Matthew has been swimming since the womb and has literally never stopped; he was a competitive swimmer since he was 4 or 5, has loads of medals, taught as a swim coach for little ones, and has swam on his college team (here and there). Boy, I sure didn't know what I was in for! After finishing the drills, the final 4 laps (100 meters), and cool down I was about to pass out and my legs felt like spaghetti noodles. I thought three things- 1) I'm not doing this again without goggles (I despise chlorine in my eyes). 2) This is going to be much harder than I thought. I can barely finish 4 laps... to complete a .5 mile I need to do 32 laps. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Plus there's the fact that it's in a Lake- no wall to hold onto, no shallow end to stand up in, who am I kidding- can I really do this??? Plus kudos to everyone that has- here's to you Janice- please supply me with anything helpful) 3) I'm so thankful to have Matthew as my coach. He's knows what I'm up against. He knows how hard I need to train and how I can't give up. He takes my back lashes when I tell him "I'm done", "I'm threw", "I've got no more", "I stink at swimming", "I can't go any farther or I'll drown (with his big grin and reply- I'll save you, had to do it more than once). He will push me to do this since he knows it's important to me and I'm really glad for that. He won't give up on me even when I am willing to give up on me, for this I'm grateful, blessed by our Lord, and love Matthew even more.

So there it is folks- this never before on a swim team, nothing more than swimming in my best friend's pool from 5th grade to 9th grade, not even a hint of liking towards swimming as a sport, will now train and swim up to half of a mile in open water, (Lord willing!). I'll hopefully be updating you on a training schedule and update you on how my other two team mates are doing. Oh and if anyone has any training tips please feel free to share- I'm in need of tips and accountability!

It's the beginning...

2010-01-16T15:41:00.000-05:00

It is January 16th, 2010 the first saturday that I'm home this year as I have recently returned from a 1700 plus mile road trip from Winter Park, FL. I really wanted to start a blog on January 1st but when it came to the name or title as they call it I couldn't think of anything... so I put off starting a blog a little longer until I thought of a suitable title. Finally the other day I thought of it, this title came from an old nickname "EB" is what my 8th grade science teacher Mr. Cole use to call me because of course EB are my intials ( before marriage and after!). And the writes kind of just popped into my head because I'm not so sure what my focus in writing is going to be, but I just want to write, plus it makes me think of EB White the aurthor of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little- both are must reads for children. Anywho, so back to the writing part I've heard that it's therapeutic and hopefully I'll be able to see where I've come from and what I've done as time comes by. Since I don't have a hankering of what I'd like to write about today I'll cheat just a bit by simply posting the answers to

which can be found here Simple Woman. Here goes nothing:

FOR TODAY...

Saturday, January16th, 2010

Outside my window...

the snow is melting and the sun is already starting to set

I am thinking...

that I should be packing up my Christms decor and wondering if I can finish it before I leave in a few hours.

I am thankful for...

my family's health, my puppy Amelie, encouraging friends, new births, & for a new year with new beginnings

I am wearing...

jeans, socks, purple shirt, and all that lies underneath

I am remembering...

that purple was an obsession of mine over 15 years ago, if I could find the picture of me dressed in purple shoes, purple socks, purple pants (blah!), purple shirt and of course the matching purple hat (because of the great blossom tv show) you all would be laughing til your belly aches. Yes, I was that much of a purple freak. Later at 18 I decided to bring back the purple into my room.... probably in another 10 years I'll have another purple explosion- undoubtedly it will not be my hair =)

I am going...

to a friend's birthday dinner, then home to do more cleaning and such, tomorrow church and then a friend's house for some food and football, and then hopefully another peek at my newest favorite baby- Xavier Christian

I am currently reading...

My Sister's Keeper, Good to Great in God's Eyes, How Women Help Men Find God, 100 Days of Prayer for Women, Fireproof Devotional, and all the magazines that arrived while I was gone.

I am hoping...

to do a lot of things this year: triathalon with Mom and sis, find a good workout/exercise routine, write more, read more, watch less, find purpose in my days of unemployment, make the days count, put more time into making meaningful moments, stronger and deeper relationships, discovering new ways to serve others; start another Bible Study, find a church home, get creative and crafty on a regular basis, find ways to save and give more; find, plan, and then do things that might actually make an eternal difference. Also, hoping to have a goal planning session with Matthew before the month's end.

On my mind...

everything listed in the I am hoping and how hot my lap top is at this moment. Hopefully finishing this very soon!!

Noticing that...

my puppy has been very sleep today.

Pondering these words...

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

Wow, what a verse. This helps me from speaking things I want to speak and think about what needs to be said, I ask myself is this benfiting Matthew? Is it edifying? Does it meet his needs?

This is the verse of Day 5 in my 30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge. They have a couple different ones so check it out and let me know if you are up to the challenge!

From the kitchen...

I need to take out the recycling. I despise the fact that our recycling does not get picked up on a normal basis and that we are constantly building up extra recyclables because there isn't any room in the outside container. One of these days I need to write a formal complaint to the property managers, I mean we do pay for it, but it's rarely picked up. Also, Amelie just woke from her nap in the kitchen and joined me in the living room.

Around the house...

everything needs a sprinkle of order and "in its place" which should be happening very soon. Just a question, for all of you reading this, I like to clean to music, my mom's "house cleaning" music is Amy Grant's House of Love, do any of you have certain "cleaning music", any genre or particular artist? Thanks for your answers I'd like to try out something new!

One of my favorite things~

Chinese doughnuts... they are so delicious. Wish there was a place around here that made them. Then again that wouldn't be good for my figure. Guess I'll have to settle with my English Black Tea at the moment, yumm.

From my picture journal...

Amelie and her new friend Toby

12-31-09

Winter Park, FL

Haha, I can't believe my first photo for the picture journal is Amelie. I guess it's because I haven't taken too many pics this month and I guess it just shows how much I love this dog. Well I better start cleaning and take Amelie outside. More writing to come for sure, hopefully something a little more insightful, humorous, or interesting we shall see!