WYBDW (sorta)

Hey look it's Wednesday again, and a rainy one at that! It hasn't slowed me down though. Katrina & I ventured to Ithaca this morning for a few reasons, one of which was to hit up the Salvation Army. They were having a spring sale where everything in the store was half off.  That's a pretty cool thought, but woooow was it packed.  We went our separate ways, did some shopping, and met back in line.  And stayed in that line for probably 40 minutes or so.  I was juuuust about to start freaking out when we finally got to the register.  It was just an un-organized mess. But I did get a few fun things out of the deal. :] Unfortunately I had to leave a pretty great piece of furniture behind, but sometimes that's how life goes! 

I read this blog fairly frequently, or at least check out her outfits.  I like her sense of humor, and how she seems down to earth. A few weeks ago she did a "currently" post, and I thought I'd borrow her categories to switch up my "What You Been Doing Wednesday" post. 

Hope you enjoy!

Reading: I am currently reading a book called "between the lines". It's a good reminder that God is the one writing our story!

Playing: Hmm...not sure! My husband isn't much of a game player (my kind) and I'm not much of a video gamer (his kind)...so that leaves me to look forward to parties with games. Dutch Blitz is usually towards the top of the list!

Watching: Netfix...I guess that's kinda all inclusive. 

Trying: Trying to believe that the sunshine will come...and stay...long term one of these days! 

Eating: Black bean corn salsa - made it last night. It tastes like summer in my mouth! I mentioned a recipe a few posts back (balsamic roast beef?) & that is in the crock pot as we speak.  Cannot WAIT for dinner. 

Drinking: Trying to really boost my water intake. & reminiscing about all the sweet tea I drank last week in NC. Boy I wish we'd get some of that good stuff rollin' up here! 

Calling: Brad, for a tech problem. :]

Texting: That's a list, honestly. But Trina most recently...mourning over the fact that (what I thought was) my future puppy is sold. :[

Pinning: This and that, a haircut last I think??

Tweeting: Nothing, since like 2008. I'm not quite convinced that I have enough DIFFERENT subject material for Facebook, Instagram, aaaand Twitter. 

Crafting: Hmm, I've kinda had crafting on hold. But I am working on a blanket in my spare time. 

Doing: Catching up! Life definitely goes on, even while you are gone on vacation! Also, walking. It's a new thing, but I've been trying to walk in the evenings. Let me know if you wanna join! :]

Going: At the beginning of June I am going on a little girl-cousin's get away! I think it's gonna be super fun, spending time with some ladies I don't get to see to often and get to know a few more!

Loving: More hours of daylight, the green grass, my clean vehicles, my best friend living in the same town as me.  

Hating: The fact that the puppy(s) - litter we will say- I was looking at are all sold. Suuuuuch a bummer. 

Discovering: That I have a huuuge to-do list in my head. 

Enjoying: My new jumbo waver!!!!!!!!

Thinking: About fun summer activities that are right around the corner, like as softball! 

Feeling: A little sore. And tired of headaches.

Hoping: That the doctor/tests will find an easy solution that will equal no more miscarriages. 

Listening (to): All kinds of stuff! 'Boondocks' was one of the unexpected, but Brad said I can't claim it as my own cause I'm not from them. :[

Celebrating: hmm...

Thanking: My far-away-Outback-friend Kim. :] Haven't seen or spoken to her in a long time, but she has succeeded to randomly make me feel so special. A few months ago it was a gentle nudge on FB to write a new blog post, and today it was to "honor" me on National Hairstyle Appreciation Day (didn't even know there was such a thing!). It's people like her that are worth crossing paths with in life...So thanks Kim! 

Considering: How much work I have to do for my yard sale that I plan to have in a month or so! I better get moving! 

Finishing: Gossip Girl, season 2. :]

Starting: To contemplate doing outfit posts. Not the typical type, because most of my clothes are second hand so I would have trouble pointing people in the "right direction" for purchasing. But maybe, outfits that encourage thrifting? Thoughts??

Well that was kinda fun! Some were challenging, and required some thought, but that's not always bad!

I also wanted to take a second to thank all my North Carolina family & friends that made my visit so awesome. I really, really had a good time visiting with each and every one of you.  I love the walks down memory lane, and the additional memories made. Thank you for opening your homes and setting aside time to catch up with me when I come down!! And my Mom & Mike for housing me, and feeding me, and all that good stuff, love you guys! :]

Shine Through Heartache

My goodness...where has the time gone? I think that every time. I promise my goal is NOT to be an "every two week poster". Give me a little time, and a few posts and maybe it will all make a little more sense to you. I feel like I have 3-4 different posts swirling around in my head, and I don't really know which one should be written first. But this morning I decided if I put much time into figuring that out, more days would pass. So I'm just going to jump into the most recent, and fresh on my mind.

In the last month I've had extreme joy, bitter heartache, and a good vacation.  Surprised I'm not an emotional wreck? :] I'm doing OK, really. In the midst of this, my dear mother-from-my-mister gave me a copy of a daily devotional book that she said was given to her in a difficult time of life.  I've been reading the daily entries, and boy did yesterday's ring true.

I'm going to just copy word-for-word a section of the reading [hopefully I don't get arrested for copyrighting]. Sit and read it for a second, and let it sink in.

         "We tend to feel we are doing the greatest good in the world when we are strong and fit for active duty and when our hearts and hands are busy with kind acts of service.  Therefore when we are set aside to suffer, when we are sick, when we are consumed with pain, and when all our activities have been stopped, we feel we are no longer of any use and are accomplishing nothing. 
         Yet if we will be patient and submissive, it is almost certain we will be a greater blessing to the world around us during our time of suffering and pain than we were when we thought we were doing our greatest work.  Then we are burning, and shining brightly as a result of the fire."

Wow.  I totally get that. I feel like this sums up what I've been trying to tell people about my miscarriage experiences, but they worded it much better than I ever could.  "If we are patient and submissive, it is almost CERTAIN we will be a greater blessing to the world around us during our time of suffering..." That's what I'm talking about.  I feel like by being open and honest about what has been happening to me, someone somewhere (hopefully multiple someones) is being touched, spoken to, or possibly starting their own healing process by re-visiting their own heartache in the soft meaty part of their own heart.

I felt like by now EVERYONE knew what has been happening, but I kinda realized that wasn't the case.  I talked with family/friends locally, family/close friends different places, and blogged about it.  Last week I decided to post a simple status on Facebook, to the tune of "Last week our 3rd baby went to Heaven. Do me a favor, hug your big ones/little ones/baby bumps a little more, & be sure to treasure each moment you have with them." , and I was pretty blown away by the comments/messages I got from that.  Just so much support, some from people who I know have been involved with the process, but also from some who I think had no idea what's been happening. I'm so appreciative of each and every one of you. You give me strength to carry on. To each of you who have also spoken up and said "me too" - my heart breaks for you.  I pray for you that you can lean on God, whether this is a fresh wound or an old scab. I hope you have allowed His love to work in you to healed all your hurts.

I by no means would have wished for these losses, but they have changed me, and opened my eyes to some things that I missed before.  It's all part of a journey that will continue to shape me into the woman of God that I am striving for. Sometimes the feelings it gives me is difficult to put into words, other times they just flow, and I do my best to capture the thoughts and put them on paper.

So if you have loved me and prayed me through this - Thank you.
And if you are experiencing this or a tough journey of your own right now - I love you, I'm with you, I'm praying for you, and you WILL make it through. Take heart, dear friend.

Challenge accepted

A dear friend of mine challenged me to come out of hibernation.  I think she is right, it's high time [Thanks for the motivation Kate!]. It's amazing how much time can pass without a thought of a blog post, if you aren't some-what intentionally thinking about it.  It makes me have a lot of respect for the bloggers who post daily, or close to it.  Don't get me wrong, I love having a space where I can express my crazy thoughts etc, but is it just me or is it hard to think of good "writing material" when winter won't quit and there is barely a green blade of grass in sight?? Ok forreal.  I won't be Negative Nancy. One more thing on that, I didn't forget about the quest I sent myself on the last post...and I actually did go out and take some pictures. Will you all ever see them? No, probably not.  Picture a pile of snow, some peeling paint, and a feather on the ground...that picture happened to have some dog poo in the upper right hand corner accidentally.  Sooo you could say it wasn't the biggest success of my life.

BUT its a new month, and I think spring is slowly creeping in. Its been a bit rainy the last couple days but at this point I'll take rain over snow any time! Sunday was a beautiful day, almost in the 60s! Send some more like that pleeeease! I took a pretty hefty walk with Lyndsi and Ruth, which I'm still feeling in my joints today. :] But how lovely to be outside in the sunshine, without even a jacket!

Tomorrow we (Lyndsi, Ruth, Bekah + I) have an outting planned to Ithaca.  Just a time to spend together, cause that doesn't seem to happen on it's own these days! I'm looking forward to that...maybe if there is thrifting involved I will share my loot with you all. :]

A week from today , right about this time I will be preparing to take off into flight to good Ol North Carolina!  I'm so so so looking forward to this trip.  Visit some family, visit some friends, meet some new babies, soak up some sunshine...all sounds so nice to me.  I'm planning to come back refreshed and ready to go...so be prepared!

This afternoon I have a few hair appointments, 1 is a trial for a bride getting married in May. Those are always fun, making people feel extra special for their extra special day!!

I didn't have a whole lot to say today but just wanted to jot down a few things so I'm not forgotten.  And you, dear reader, know you are not forgotten either. Until next time, I'll be thinkin about cha!