Getting to know you...

Found one of my new favorite quotes today: (ht: Brad Ruggles)

"To live by grace means to acknowledge my whole life story, the light side and the dark. In admitting my shadow side I learn who I am and what God’s grace means. As Thomas Merton put it, ‘A saint is not someone who is good but who experiences the goodness of God.’" -Brennan Manning

Ruminate on that one for a bit. I did. Made me realize that my past should not produce shame, but produce more grace because it brings a better understanding of the Grace of God. Had a paradigm shift today that I wasn't quite expecting, but when do we ever really expect our personal paradigm to be shifted? --------------------------------------- I've been spending time thinking about what it is I want to do with my life. Most days I feel stuck in neutral and that what is comfortable and safe is best. Cognitively, I know that comfort and safety usually means I'm not taking the kind of risks that can bring about some of life's most amazing results. It's that first risky step that can be one of the hardest for me. --------------------------------------- My nephew and niece were dedicated at church a few weeks ago! This is where I think my church is on point...waiting for baptism until it is the decision of the individual to follow Jesus. Can you see the cute little bow on my nieces head?! I cannot wait to play dress-up when she gets older! --------------------------------------- My work/work-out buddy moved away! Her husband got a promotion (which is especially amazing in this economy) and they couldn't pass it up. Even though it meant moving to Oklahoma! The only upside to co-workers moving away is the cake at the goodbye party. This time around did NOT disappoint! You can't go wrong with a Publix chocolate cake with raspberry filling and butter cream icing. --------------------------------------- Since I don't know my readers...why don't you tell me about yourself! Name: Location: Favorite blog topic to read about: If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I love this blog, but would love your interaction even more! Some of my new favorite people I have met through blogs, twitter, and other online resources. Lets be friends :)

ABC's

So, over on facebook people are doing the "ABC's of Me" in their notes and tagging people. If you want to do it, cool. If not, that's ok too. :) A - Age: 27 B - Bed size: Full, there is not a real need for something bigger right now ;) C - Chore you hate: Cleaning the bathroom! D - Dog's name: Never had a puppy....it will be one of the first things I buy when I get my own place one day. E - Essential start your day item: Shower F - Favorite colour: Pink G - Gold or Silver: Gold H - Height: 5ft 6in I - Instruments you play: none and I find that quite tragic J - Job title: Assistant to the Dean K - Kid: None yet ... but I do have a nephew and a niece! L - Living arrangements: share a house with my mom....she makes a pretty great roommate :) M - Mom's name: Leslie N - Nicknames: Ali, Al, Sis, Auntie, Ali-bird, A-lee-sahn O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: None! P - Pet Peeve: Assuming....you know what is does Q - Quote from a movie: The love between a man and a woman is holy too. Just because you love a man doesnt mean you love God any less. God gave you that love and it's up to you to figue out how to spend it. - The Sound of Music (not verbatim, but you get the picture) R - Right or left handed: righty S - Siblings: 1 brother, 1 sis in-law, 2 step-sisters, 2 step-brothers in-law T- Time you wake up: 6.30ish U- Underwear: is necessary. V - Vegetable you dislike: Okra...yuck W - Ways you run late: underestimating the time I need to get everything done in the morning. X - X-rays you've had: Teeth, arms, foot, leg Y - Yummy food you make: I make lots of yummy things to eat! My current favorite are pumpkin cookies Z - Zoo favorite: Elephants, monkeys, giraffes, zebras....i like them all

To be honest...

I have to be honest...I wish bloggers blogged more on the weekend, or at least scheduled more posts to be published, if they don't want to actually write on their time off. Why? Because I have more time to actually read and respond.

I guess I could star in my reader the ones I want to comment on, but I'm more of an in the moment commenter.

Just something to consider :)

8 Things

Christy had this on her blog today and I was sorta tagged so I am doing it for fun :) 8 Things Here's how 8 THINGS works:- Mention the person that tagged you.- Complete the lists of 8's.- Tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends.- Go tell them you tagged them! 8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO: 1. Spending time with my family on mother's day 2. Shelby's bachelorette party/ bridal shower extravaganza! 3. Shelby and Tanner's Wedding 4. Lindsay and Jason's wedding in France! 5. Stephanie visiting for Memorial Day weekend 6. Shopping for my upcoming trips and parties 7. Getting a new Vera Bradley 8. Reading a new book 8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY: 1. Laundry 2. Worked 3. Went to lunch with a co-worker 4. Went to a meeting 5. Read a few blogs 6. Chatted with friends 7. Almost got a free trip to London for work (don't ask, I can't tell) (you know I like to be cryptic) 8. Went to the Dentist - NO CAVITIES! 8 THINGS I WISH I COULD DO: 1. Travel the world :) 2. Read for a living 3. Own a bookstore. 4. Work in a Library 5. Visit my friends all over the country 6. Go to the beach every day 7. Write a book 8. Knit 8 SHOWS I WATCH: 1. The Biggest Loser 2. So You Think You Can Dance 3. Dancing with the Stars 4. Ugly Betty 5. America's Next Top Model 6. What Not to Wear 7. Kings 8. Millionaire Matchmaker 8 BLOGGERS TAGGED: YOU! If you are reading this you must partake of some 8 Things Fun :)

Little Sickie

So, my Daily Peeks have slowed down a bit due to me being a sickie for the past week. Really, who wants to see my POV of that? But here it is in a nutshell anyway:

Sleep, read, sleep, watch a movie, medicate, eat a little something, sleep, read, medicate, go to the doctor, sleep, medicate, read, eat, sleep...you get the picture. I'm actually cuddled up in my bed as we speak I type recouping from the days work. I don't have a physically strenuous job, but after spending basically 4 days in bed, it wiped me out.

Let's leave this on a high note - cause Jonathan has inspired me to give good news more than bad news - and no he doesn't twitter or blog.

Ok, the good stuff, there's only FIVE WEEKS until France! haha ok, so that's braggy good news.

Alright, the real stuff....my niece and nephew were dedicated at church on Sunday! It was such a special thing to be a part of that service and to hear the blessings prayed over their lives. God is working is some serious ways around here.

Bloggy readers, thanks for being my cuddle buddy this evening. Count yourself lucky; not many get that privilege. ;o)

Daily Peek 5-2-09

Oo La La! Another invite came in the mail today for certain friend's pre-wedding bridal shower/bachelorette party! It's going to be a fun time! If only you knew the antics we have up our sleeve for that night. Wait, maybe you don't want to know... The results of the party will most likely not be published on the interwebs. We don't ruin your innocent eyes. ha!

Daily Peek 4-29-09

Wednesdays have turned into one of my favorite days of the week. Not only does it signal the half-way mark to the weekend, but it is also the night that I get to spend an hour with 40+ 4th and 5th graders during children's choir. Do you know what's even better? I get to teach a new craft project to a group of them every! You KNOW how much I love crafts, and to share that with these kids is pure joy for me! This week, however, I was able to put some of my other skills to use. For the past semester, all of the age groups have been practicing for the BIG end of the year musical. So, this week, all of the choirs got together to practice the choreography, and yours truly got to run the lyrics from the gorgeous tech suite. Friends, my love of technology rivals my love of crafts. "Yes, I love technology, but not as much as you, you see. Always and forever!" Kip, Napoleon Dynamite