What I’m Loving Wednesday

There has been some blog neglect lately due to schoolwork, but now I have finally caught up and am able to breathe. Hopefully, tomorrow I will make up for the “Best of Instagram,” and I am also cooking up some other blog ideas for later in the week. Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope it is grand!

First off, I am loving the sweet card that arrived in my mailbox today. My mom sent me my proof of insurance for my car in the mail, and my oldest niece, Bailee, picked out a lovely card to go with it. Mom said she chose it because she said I would “love the flowers and the chair”. Well, she was right; I do love it. I also love how it says “Sow seeds of love and kindness”. What a good reminder :) Also, look at that cute five year-old writing. You know it is precious.

I am loving the amazing sandwich Amber made for me today for our writing center meeting. It was absolutely delicious, and it looked as good as it tasted. Spinach, tomato, mushroom, sundried tomato pesto, and basil pesto all slapped together on whole wheat. Brilliant.

I am loving that my book review of Ethan Frome is practically done, and I don’t have to spend tonight and the earlier morning hours finishing it up! It only requires a little bit more editing, and then that sucker is getting printed and ready to turn in. I have been working tirelessly all week between studying for midterms to get ahead on my assignments so I can enjoy tonight and relax. And I have ever intention of doing just that.

Having said that, I’m loving that tonight is trivia night at Hey Joe’s! This has become a weekly ritual with some of my dear Cleveland friends, and it is a perfect way to get through the week and celebrate the fact that the weekend is just on the horizon.

Moreover, Hey Joe’s! is having a Sadie Hawkins dance tonight after trivia that I am super excited about. I am a firm believer in men initiating interest with women (including in dancing). If a man wants to dance, he should have enough guts to ask. But, I might just have to make an exception tonight because of the rules that go along with Sadie Hawkins. Also, a band that was started up by some people that I went to high school with is playing. I am looking forward to hearing them and doing something a little different on this Leap Day.

Once again, I hope you have a great Wednesday and are embracing the little things that you love and that make this Wednesday and your life that much better. Oh, I almost forgot... HAPPY LEAP DAY!

What I’m Loving Wednesday

So, yesterday was Valentine’s, and I must admit that I absolutely love this holiday. I remember as a child being incensed at the fact that the public school system did not recognize this as a holiday that validated a day off. This holiday also promoted my favorite color red and hearts. I also think that I loved this holiday so much because my dad in many ways took over the card and gift. I mean, let’s be honest. Usually, every other holiday mom would do the shopping, but for some unknown reason my dad would decide to get involved. He always picked out the best cards and wrote some of the sweetest notes. He would also choose gifts that showed me he really understood my personality and put a great deal of thought into the gift. I think as a young girl and teenager I enjoyed the reminder that my daddy was forever my biggest fan and a guy who would never stop loving me. And, now as a young woman, I realize this fact without the reminder of Valentine’s day. All that said, I have some very fond memories of this holiday, and I have some fun pictures to share that describe my Valentine’s experience this year and why I’m loving it.

 

1. & 2. Remember these? Well, Sunday night I decided to make cookies that said “Happy Valentines” and “Lots of Love”.

3. This was one of my best cookies. It is actually legible. I decided it should go to my professor/coworker, Mike Smith, because he always complains about how no one considers him on Valentine’s. Well, by-golly, I was considerate and gave him the best.                                                       4. This picture depicts what the majority of my cookies looked like: a hot, unreadable mess. They definitely do not look like the cookies on the box cover, and I will most definitely have to do some internet research before I attempt another batch. Needless to say, everyone else received failed attempts at cute Valentine’s cookies. Myself and the recipients all got some pretty good laughs at my pitiful cookies.

5. & 6. This was a craft I found on Pinterest. I used paint samples and a heart punch to make this threaded garland. I sent this little Valentine’s happy to one of my best friends, Sydney, who is working her tail off at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. I could not think of another person who better deserved a happy.

7. This was my Valentine’s present from my parents. They know how much I love trees and got me this cute pendant!                                          8. This was a Valentine’s gift from Amber. She was so thoughtful, and like a good English major she gave me a card with a cheesy pun: “Look it is Cupig”. You know it is funny.

9. Dr. Ford brought Dove milk chocolates to all of the Writing Center workers at today’s meeting. When I opened the first one, all I saw was “Exercise today”. I was taken aback. Then I read further and it told me to “Exercise your heart today”. We all got a good laugh out of it, and Amber decided to make some minor adjustments to the message. Jerk.                 10. Here was some of the other sayings that my coworkers gave me to make me feel better. One told me that “The best things in life are chocolate” and the other told me to “Believe in those you love”. They were definitely better than the chocolate telling me to go exercise.

I hope your Wednesday and Valentine’s Day was wonderful!

What I’m Loving Wednesday

Happy February everyone! I absolutely love February. I have no justified reason for loving this month. I just do. All that said, on this fabulous and unusually hot first day of February, I am loving the fact that God provides in so many unseen ways. One of those funny life occurrences happened to me on Monday night, and I wanted to share with all of you how God is good all the time, and continually provides for us without us even knowing.

The Story: A Damsel in Distress

After my first Zumba class on Monday, I had plans to meet my friend, Kayla, for dinner. I went and took a quick shower, and I had a moment of weakness when I thought that maybe, just maybe I could go in my pajamas. However, I decided I would be a little more classy and wear my oversized, grey “Fighting Okra” sweatpants and a t-shirt. Then I decided that I at least should attempt to somewhat fix my hair and put on mascara.

We decided to go to Subway, which in all honesty, I was not too thrilled about.  I had never really eaten at Subway, so when we got there and ordered, the guy making my Veggie Sub teased me because I did not know what I wanted on the sandwich. Kayla and I ate and had a great time catching up, but she had to leave around 6:45 because she did not want to miss Pretty Little Liars which came on at 7. We said our goodbyes and walked to the opposite ends of the parking lot to leave. I saw Kayla drive off, and while trying to start my car, absolutely nothing happened. There were no lights or sounds. My car was NOT starting up. I tried pulling the key out of the ignition, and my new car alarm started going off.  I tried making the alarm stop, but the alarm only got louder and all my lights started flashing. I felt like I was at a disco.

I made a few desperate calls to my friends Amber, Laura, and Pete. Amber was at work, but thankfully Laura came and brought every tool know to man because her dad wants her always prepared. Not long after, Pete and Chad arrived, and we all started making failed attempts to revive my car. After several fruitless efforts, we decided that the car was not going anywhere for the night. My dad made plans to come and fix the car the next day; so, I decided to go ask the employees if my car could stay overnight.

I went into Subway, and Chris (the same guy who gave me a hard time about my sandwich) asked if I was having car trouble. He told me he was a mechanic, and I thought he was kidding. But, it turns out that he is a real mechanic and offered to come and help. He informed me that the battery was very dead. Chris offered to take out the battery so that I could have the people at AutoZone run a test on it, and whatever the result, he offered to put the battery back. I quickly took him up on his offer, and Laura and I rushed to AutoZone before they closed at 9.

Turns out that the battery was VERY dead, and it was the original battery from 2000 when the car was made (If you are wondering how that is possible, it is because my grandmother rarely drove the vehicle and it has less than 70,000 miles on it). I bought a brand new battery, and true to his word, Chris installed the battery for free. The car finally started working, and at last I was able to head back to the dorm.

It was one of those situations where all I could do was keep calm, laugh, and trust that it was happening for a reason. It turns out that Kayla came back to Subway because she left something, and she heard a strange noise (my alarm which randomly kept going off) but did not see my car, so she thought I had already left. I am so glad that the one time I considered going in public in my pajamas, I let my better instincts take over. I am also, extremely glad that Kayla wanted to go to Subway, because any other time and place, I might have not had someone as helpful and generous as Chris. God looked out for me in so many ways, and it was just another one of those little life experiences where He shows me that He is in complete control.

Having said all of this, I am very thankful for friends who are there for me when I need them and can make me laugh even in not so ideal situations. Also, I am extremely thankful for people like Chris. If anyone is ever in Cleveland, you should stop by the subway. Chris can make a mean Veggie Sub. And, I am very thankful for a sovereign and gracious God that I can trust in regardless of the circumstance.

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in You.”  -Isaiah 26:3

What I’m Loving Wednesday…Oh how Pinteresting Edition

 

Happy Wednesday everyone! It is that time of the week again to link up with Jamie, and I get to share with YOU what I am particularly loving. I don’t know if all of you know what Pinterest is, but let me be the first to inform you that it is probably the best website ever. Every time you get on is like opening up a brand new magazine. You look through the website at different pictures and links, and when you find something that strikes your fancy you “pin” it on your virtual pin boards. The site has everything, and you can specialize your searches to strictly crafts, photography, food, clothes, decorating, etc. Once you get on this website, I promise your life will change as you are bombarded with inspiration overload. So, this week I am loving my Pinterest finds and Pinterest in general. If you want to see my full boards and pins, check it out here. Hope you enjoy some of my favorite finds and this beautiful winter Wednesday!

Perfect for the blog, dontcha think?

 

Balance

All about attitude

So feminine

Lately, I have been desperately wanting one of these.

   

Truth

One of the prettiest dresses found to date

Typewriter monogram necklace. Perfect? Most definitely.

 

Details

His eye is on the sparrow.

This is happening when I get a home, with some of my own personal adjustments, of course

Cute everyday outfit

Have a lovely Wednesday! Also, all pictures are via Pinterest. Check out the website, and if you want an invite to join, let me know!   Disclaimer: You will become HIGHLY addicted.

What I’m Loving Wednesday!

Today I decided to do my first link up series with Jamie called “What I’m Loving Wednesday”. And what is not to love about posting what makes you happy? People constantly talk about what is wrong with life, and the more I live, the more I realize there are so many little joys everyday, all day that we take for granted. With that said, here is what I am loving on this fabulous, rainy Wednesday.

First, I am loving my new class schedule for this semester

This semester I only have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Can you believe it? I certainly can’t! I am still pinching myself to make sure this is real. Never before in my three years at DSU have I had a semester where I did not go Monday through Friday. My wonderful schedule means that I can come home earlier and stay later if I want, and there is something so freeing about the fact that I am not obligated to be in Cleveland for the majority of my week. This also means that my Wednesdays are free…at least until I start back to work (which I also love).

Secondly, I am loving the fact that there is so much love in the air.

Lately, I have had some wonderful ladies in my life become blessed with godly men who have stepped forth to claim their hand and heart. Each of these ladies have a beautiful and unique love story that could only have been written by the author of love Himself. In May, my oldest friend is getting married, and I am to be her maid of honor (happy dance ensues). And, I can hear not too distant wedding bells for many more of my close friends. My fellow blogger and DSU pal, Amber Grace, just became engaged, and her man gave her one of the most thoughtful and detailed proposals I have ever seen. Check out this wonderful love story here. It is definitely worth reading from start to finish!

Thirdly, I love having a free gym at my access.

I sure have enjoyed being home for the break, but I must admit working out comes much easier being at school when there is a gym right across from my dorm. The above picture is what I saw waiting for me this morning as I reluctantly dragged my feet in there at 6 a.m. The far left ellipticals were practically screaming mine and Amber Marie’s name. After four miles of glute kicker on the elliptical, abs, and stretches, I know I will be feeling the effects of an inactive Christmas break. That is ok though, because it means there is room to improve and strengthen, and the soreness is proof I am doing something about it.

These are just a small portion of what I love this Wednesday. What about you?