Life is fantastic. And weird. As usual, every time I start making plans God says, "Nope! Not yet!" and gives us something else to think about. For awhile, we (myself especially) were pretty gung-ho about getting a house. I was positive that everything would go a certain way and that was that. I began to realize during the whole process that I was trying way to hard to control my own situation. I felt like no one was on my side, even though they were really trying to help. I was very discouraged. After things kept falling through with houses, I began to step back and reevaluate the situation I was putting myself it. I had this perfect plan, but nothing was going my way. The real estate, the jobs, everything was falling through. I was fortunate to realize pretty early on that I was tugging my own reins too tight. After having a bit of a breakdown, I was able to use hindsight to find that I was out of control and the choices I was trying to make were not the right ones. It was soon after this that God washed away my worries. I was going to be taken care of. Things were under control, but not mine.
Since then, Nick and I have been going wherever we feel like God wants us to be for now. We are not rushing to get to Arkansas, though we know that is where we will be soon. We are now out of our apartment and will turn in our keys tomorrow. I never thought that I would move in with family after getting married, but now we are taking up residence for the time being with my brother in a much quieter part of town. After all the paper work is done tomorrow I know there will be a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, and we will no longer be attached to Tulsa. Something that Nick brought up a few days ago was that God seems to be leading us to help people that have helped us during this time in between our adventures. We have been put in several situations where, if Nick and I had not been there to help, things would not have gone well. One example is that my parent's water heater started leaking. If we had not been up late with my mom, we never would have noticed the wet carpet. When my dad went to check on the water heater, the valve busted and there was a river in the garage. My parents garage is very full at the moment with things they are going through and getting rid of. Had Nick and I not been there, the damage would have been much greater.
A few weeks ago, I had an interview for what I thought was the perfect job. I had an underlying feeling that though it was a great opportunity, that God was going to throw me a curve ball and not let me have it. He did just that and though I was a bit sad, I was able to pick myself up and move on and most importantly, be confident that I was working under God's will alone. "He must have a really fantastic plan," I thought, "If this job is not the right one." Being able to have that confidence is really comforting. He has always followed through for me, why would He stop now? I now am in the waiting period to hear back about another job opportunity. Even though God keeps leading us in a maze, I know that He is still walking ahead of us and will show us the way. Every thing will work out how it should, even if it is not the way I planned it.
But for now, while moving or whatever is on hiatus, this will be in the forefront of my mind:
“The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead.”
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley
P.S. #10 on my resolutions list is well on its way to completion!
Friday, May 17, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
So far I am failing pretty miserably at my new years resolutions. I started out pretty well, I lost a little bit of weight, but after a few weeks I gave up on my diet and fitness and probably gained everything back. My mind has pretty much been consumed by house hunting. We saw found several houses we thought would work for us, but when we went to look at them, they were not in good shape. We are thinking it may be in our best interest to do the apartment thing for a bit longer (but still move!), and maybe get some land to build on in the future. God seems to be leading us in circles, but I have no doubt that it will eventually spiral into the place we need to be.
That's all for now folks.
That's all for now folks.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
The New Year News
For the cheesy post title, I apologize.
I have never been very good about new year's resolutions, but it never hurts to try. Here is a list. Now that it is public, I guess I have to make a greater effort.
1) Lose weight. Approx. 30 lbs.
I know pretty much every person has physical goals around the new year, but for me this is something I really want to accomplish. This time last year I weighed about 25 lbs less. I was eating well and being active before the holidays, but by the time graduation rolled around and the wedding stress kicked in there was no holding back for me. I did not know how much weight I had actually gained until much later. Then, after I started working at a cafe, I gained 10 lbs in a matter of a few months. I am starting a cleansing diet tomorrow to kick things off. I'll let you know how it goes....
2) Be more motivated
I am pretty sure college sucked every ounce of motivation out of me. I am honestly pretty lazy.
3) Be more budget conscious
When we first got married, we sat down and created a budget. Then I got a job and every month seemed different income-wise. In some ways we are pretty frugal, but since the last few months have been crazy with work schedules, we eat out a lot and have not payed much mind to our bank account as long as it has a certain amount in it. Now that we are looking into mortgages and moving, watching those extra pennies will be a little more crucial. Not to mention, knowing that your money has a place and each place has money is a pretty big stress reliever.
4) Journal
I used to be a pretty heavy journalist, but over time and starting a handful of blogs I gradually stopped. Taking the extra quiet time to write my thoughts (outside of the computer) and journal scripture is something I really want to value and find crucial to bettering myself.
5) Complain less, Delight more
When I get stressed, or don't feel well I tend to complain a lot. I know it is a bad habit and I try to watch out for it when I feel it getting out of hand. I know it is annoying to listen to someone do nothing but complain. It tears yourself and others down. I also want to be conscious of the little things. Since moving to the city, I have basically stopped taking in my surroundings. I don't really remember the last time I looked at the stars (mostly because I can't see them) which used to be something I took time to do almost every night before going in my house. I want to delight in the little things of life and cherish moments.
6) Move
As you can read in my previous post, N and I are making plans to move back to NWA and possibly purchase a fixer-upper with a few acres of land if things go our way. Our lease here is until the first of May, but we are hoping to traverse back east long before then. We would only have to pay 60% of our remaining rent, but we have to give 60 days notice, which may put us up the creek...without even a creek (maybe not that bad, perhaps just without a boat).
7) Sew a lot, without buying new fabric until what I have is unusable
I just bought a sewing machine tonight online. I have my mom's sewing machine here, but it need the tension adjusted. Not to mention it is incredibly complicated. I have high hopes for my new sewing machine. I got it for $26 by using 3 gift cards I had crammed into my wallet. Also, I have more fabric than I know what to do with.
8) Be a better wife
Cook more, clean more, organize more, spoil my husband more. All the wife-y things I have slacked on because my husband is amazing and does all those things for me instead.
8 or 9 seems like a weird number of resolutions, so I guess I better think of 2 more....
9) Write more letters
I have been pretty good about writing thank you cards over the last few months, but I want to write actually letters. What is better than getting a hand written letter in the mail? Probably only a few things.
10) Purge...that sounds gross...how about, clean out
Cut the fat, declutter, whatever you want to call it. Minimize my earthly possessions both that I have currently have on hand, and at my parents house. Over the last 4 years I have done a lot of cleaning out, but I want to make an even greater effort to simplify my life. I don't want physical things holding me back, and I certainly don't want them holding my family back.
Ok. That seems like a pretty good list. Good balance of physical and mental resolutions I think. Tomorrow is the second day of the year and we are off to a running start!
Peace Out. (Do you remember when it was cool to say that?)
I have never been very good about new year's resolutions, but it never hurts to try. Here is a list. Now that it is public, I guess I have to make a greater effort.
1) Lose weight. Approx. 30 lbs.
I know pretty much every person has physical goals around the new year, but for me this is something I really want to accomplish. This time last year I weighed about 25 lbs less. I was eating well and being active before the holidays, but by the time graduation rolled around and the wedding stress kicked in there was no holding back for me. I did not know how much weight I had actually gained until much later. Then, after I started working at a cafe, I gained 10 lbs in a matter of a few months. I am starting a cleansing diet tomorrow to kick things off. I'll let you know how it goes....
2) Be more motivated
I am pretty sure college sucked every ounce of motivation out of me. I am honestly pretty lazy.
3) Be more budget conscious
When we first got married, we sat down and created a budget. Then I got a job and every month seemed different income-wise. In some ways we are pretty frugal, but since the last few months have been crazy with work schedules, we eat out a lot and have not payed much mind to our bank account as long as it has a certain amount in it. Now that we are looking into mortgages and moving, watching those extra pennies will be a little more crucial. Not to mention, knowing that your money has a place and each place has money is a pretty big stress reliever.
4) Journal
I used to be a pretty heavy journalist, but over time and starting a handful of blogs I gradually stopped. Taking the extra quiet time to write my thoughts (outside of the computer) and journal scripture is something I really want to value and find crucial to bettering myself.
5) Complain less, Delight more
When I get stressed, or don't feel well I tend to complain a lot. I know it is a bad habit and I try to watch out for it when I feel it getting out of hand. I know it is annoying to listen to someone do nothing but complain. It tears yourself and others down. I also want to be conscious of the little things. Since moving to the city, I have basically stopped taking in my surroundings. I don't really remember the last time I looked at the stars (mostly because I can't see them) which used to be something I took time to do almost every night before going in my house. I want to delight in the little things of life and cherish moments.
6) Move
As you can read in my previous post, N and I are making plans to move back to NWA and possibly purchase a fixer-upper with a few acres of land if things go our way. Our lease here is until the first of May, but we are hoping to traverse back east long before then. We would only have to pay 60% of our remaining rent, but we have to give 60 days notice, which may put us up the creek...without even a creek (maybe not that bad, perhaps just without a boat).
7) Sew a lot, without buying new fabric until what I have is unusable
I just bought a sewing machine tonight online. I have my mom's sewing machine here, but it need the tension adjusted. Not to mention it is incredibly complicated. I have high hopes for my new sewing machine. I got it for $26 by using 3 gift cards I had crammed into my wallet. Also, I have more fabric than I know what to do with.
8) Be a better wife
Cook more, clean more, organize more, spoil my husband more. All the wife-y things I have slacked on because my husband is amazing and does all those things for me instead.
8 or 9 seems like a weird number of resolutions, so I guess I better think of 2 more....
9) Write more letters
I have been pretty good about writing thank you cards over the last few months, but I want to write actually letters. What is better than getting a hand written letter in the mail? Probably only a few things.
10) Purge...that sounds gross...how about, clean out
Cut the fat, declutter, whatever you want to call it. Minimize my earthly possessions both that I have currently have on hand, and at my parents house. Over the last 4 years I have done a lot of cleaning out, but I want to make an even greater effort to simplify my life. I don't want physical things holding me back, and I certainly don't want them holding my family back.
Ok. That seems like a pretty good list. Good balance of physical and mental resolutions I think. Tomorrow is the second day of the year and we are off to a running start!
Peace Out. (Do you remember when it was cool to say that?)
Monday, December 31, 2012
Pros and Cons
I repent for my absence. Life has been crazy. Not for any reason other than the flow of our lives leaves us with little down time during the day. I like my job, N puts up with his, and that is that. The problem is that on a regular basis, I may work from 8-4 (which is great), but N works from 4-9. So, by the time we see each other, we are pooped. This probably wouldn't be too big of a deal, but while I have a perfect schedule and get the weekends off, N works every weekend because he takes 2 days off during the week to do an internship out of town (state, actually). So all in all, we have very little quality time to spend together. And to top it all off, when we do have time we just want to zone out and let our brains re-format.
Enough with excuses, I have more interesting things to say. Believe it or not.
As I mentioned earlier, N goes out of town just about every week to do an internship. He happens to go to one of our favorite places on this earth. NW Arkansas. Despite being a very devote Okie and living there my entire life, NWA feels like home. Perhaps that is due to starting my adult life there. Maybe because it has more trees and bigger hills. I don't really know why, but I have a few good guesses.
Every now and then, my schedule allows me to go with the man to AR and hang out at the office. Every single time we get ready to start the 2 hour drive home, I feel my heart sink a little. A week or 2 ago, N told me he felt the same way. We talked about it and pretty quickly decided that feeling that way about going home was not how it should be, and we needed to seriously consider moving.
Well, moving is a great idea, until you realize that you need to have a job in order to move. We are doing fine in the way of money right now. We don't have a lot of fancy things, but we do not lack anything. We live in a small, but nice apartment (no matter how much we complain). And we have jobs that are steady and pay pretty reasonably. The problem is that if we pick up an move, we will not have a job at all. My husband could most likely transfer to another store without any problems, but he has his sights set on getting a job at his current internship. He is trying not to count his chickens before they hatch and get his hopes up too high, but I know that if he was not able to continue, he would be really, extremely disappointed. He loves every minute he spends there. Aside from that, if he was to transfer to another store in the area we want to move, if he does end up getting a position at his internship, he will have to quit his current position right after starting at a new store. Since he is such a good guy, he would not like doing that.
We could live on just him working for a little while. Things would be tight, but we have done it before without much of a problem. I would find a job as soon as I could and everything would be just dandy.
There is however, another side to this story. If things go well, and N gets the job he wants, and I find a place to work, we want to get out of apartment living. I don't really mind it too much, since I lived in a dorm for several years. But I have dreams. I came across a small fixer-up home just outside of town. It has a couple of acres of land. Just enough to someday house horses. Enough room to build a barn someday, and enough room for kids to run. It is in a nice area, nice homes surrounding it. A good price tag is attached, and with the amount of work I imagine it needs and how long it has been on the market, I might be able to bring it lower. All in all, it sounds like a great deal. We want to go look at it pretty soon.
On the flip side, I am nervous about buying a home. I have weighed the pros and cons and honestly I feel like the pros outweigh the cons. But, locking myself in an area so soon in our marriage seems risky. Not to mention I have never done a home remodel before. I know there are a lot of things I can do to make it better, for a reasonable price, but the task is a little daunting. I keep asking questions like, what if there is a better place? What if we get there and our work is cut out for us? Is this the right thing to do? Will be be able to handle it financially with our new jobs (which we don't have)? It is a big risk, but I keep coming back to it.
But while I hesitate, I always come back. To the little blue house on the corner.
Enough with excuses, I have more interesting things to say. Believe it or not.
As I mentioned earlier, N goes out of town just about every week to do an internship. He happens to go to one of our favorite places on this earth. NW Arkansas. Despite being a very devote Okie and living there my entire life, NWA feels like home. Perhaps that is due to starting my adult life there. Maybe because it has more trees and bigger hills. I don't really know why, but I have a few good guesses.
Every now and then, my schedule allows me to go with the man to AR and hang out at the office. Every single time we get ready to start the 2 hour drive home, I feel my heart sink a little. A week or 2 ago, N told me he felt the same way. We talked about it and pretty quickly decided that feeling that way about going home was not how it should be, and we needed to seriously consider moving.
Well, moving is a great idea, until you realize that you need to have a job in order to move. We are doing fine in the way of money right now. We don't have a lot of fancy things, but we do not lack anything. We live in a small, but nice apartment (no matter how much we complain). And we have jobs that are steady and pay pretty reasonably. The problem is that if we pick up an move, we will not have a job at all. My husband could most likely transfer to another store without any problems, but he has his sights set on getting a job at his current internship. He is trying not to count his chickens before they hatch and get his hopes up too high, but I know that if he was not able to continue, he would be really, extremely disappointed. He loves every minute he spends there. Aside from that, if he was to transfer to another store in the area we want to move, if he does end up getting a position at his internship, he will have to quit his current position right after starting at a new store. Since he is such a good guy, he would not like doing that.
We could live on just him working for a little while. Things would be tight, but we have done it before without much of a problem. I would find a job as soon as I could and everything would be just dandy.
There is however, another side to this story. If things go well, and N gets the job he wants, and I find a place to work, we want to get out of apartment living. I don't really mind it too much, since I lived in a dorm for several years. But I have dreams. I came across a small fixer-up home just outside of town. It has a couple of acres of land. Just enough to someday house horses. Enough room to build a barn someday, and enough room for kids to run. It is in a nice area, nice homes surrounding it. A good price tag is attached, and with the amount of work I imagine it needs and how long it has been on the market, I might be able to bring it lower. All in all, it sounds like a great deal. We want to go look at it pretty soon.
On the flip side, I am nervous about buying a home. I have weighed the pros and cons and honestly I feel like the pros outweigh the cons. But, locking myself in an area so soon in our marriage seems risky. Not to mention I have never done a home remodel before. I know there are a lot of things I can do to make it better, for a reasonable price, but the task is a little daunting. I keep asking questions like, what if there is a better place? What if we get there and our work is cut out for us? Is this the right thing to do? Will be be able to handle it financially with our new jobs (which we don't have)? It is a big risk, but I keep coming back to it.
But while I hesitate, I always come back. To the little blue house on the corner.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Coffee Shops in Tulsa
I have lived in Tulsa for only a few months. When I first moved here I searched high and low for a coffeeshop that was not downtown, and not Starbucks. I am more centrally located, so making a trip downtown was not in the question, and Starbucks was not quite the atmosphere I wanted. Another issue I was having was finding a coffeeshop (again, not downtown) that was open late. If you are having the same problems as I was, let me give you some suggestions.
Kaffe Bona
Open till midnight. It is a favorite of students, and business folk alike. Full menu of salads, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies, cake, and of course all of your favorite espresso drinks. Great Chai and specialty drinks. Yum. A 25% discount on most drinks everyday from 2-5 is not a bad deal either.
This store has three locations. 91st and Yale, in the Eastgate mall, and inside First Baptist Church downtown (a great coffee shop that is close by to TCC).
kaffebona.com
Agora Coffeehouse
Hidden away behind the Hidaway in the Fontana Shopping Center near 51st and Memorial is a lovely coffeehouse. They regularly have live music and it is hard to beat the open, vintage-y atmosphere. Agora was recently purchased by a fun-loving couple and while they will to keep things mostly as they are, plans are for things to just get better. Agora is currently open from 9-9 during the week, but Friday and Saturday they are open till 11. As things get settled, the coffeehouse will open earlier for all of you early risers in need of your coffee fix.
Check out their facebook for discounts and concert dates or their website agoracoffeehouse.com
I frequently visit both coffeeshops and highly recommend either. Agora is quieter, and very relaxed, while Kaffe Bona is a more modern, but still relaxed Bistro/coffeeshop. Check 'em out!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Oh, the weather outside is...Delightful!
It's a beautiful day friends. After my husband left for work late this morning (he has to work on Saturday. Poor him.), I summoned the energy to open my eyes and do something. After watching the newest episode of an anime, I realized that it was a bit cold in the apartment. I noticed that although the thermostat was set to 77 it was 74! The temp outside plays a lot into the temp of our apartment. Since it has been so hot outside, without the a/c on it usually stays at 77-78. I knew this week was supposed to be in the 80s, but after the rain yesterday I was afraid it would be humid. I was so excited when I checked the weather and saw that it was in the 70s outside! I had promised that I would not lay around all day at home, and with the discovery of how nice it was outside I quickly got in the shower, and headed out as soon as I could. As I was walking to the car I was trying to decide where to go. I have been looking into getting a pair of half chaps to take with me when I go ride at NLR, and to make riding in jeans at the hunter pace more comfortable. It didn't take me long to decide that a mini road trip was in order, so I drove to the lovely town of Claremore, home to one of my favorite stores, The Horse of Course. I could not get anything, and honestly I can get what I want much cheaper online, but I got the lady there to help me try on some boots, half chaps and helmets. And just for fun I browsed through the saddles and skimmed the for sale board bulletin board.
After browsing as much as much as I could without feeling like I should buy something, I bid my farewells and walked through one of the many antique stores a few doors down. After viewing all the booths without finding anything that caught my eye (other than a collection of books by Roosevelt), I was feeling thirsty and ready to be out and about some more. I pulled out my handy android and discovered that just down the street and not far from the turnpike I needed to get on in order to go home was a little coffee shop with great reviews. After some contemplation I decided to try out one of my old reliables, a caramel latte. Most places make them too sweet for my taste, and so far my favorite has been from a little drive through coffee place near my apartment. It still takes the number one spot, but I must say, this was a pretty darn good latte. It was definitely the strongest I have had to date, which was extremely refreshing.
The drive back to T-town was lovely, and the highway was well lined with trees. I also saw a train with 8 engines at the front (I believe that was on the way into town though). They must have been pulling quite a load. Not ready to go back home to my cozy cave, I stopped at the park and rolled down my window. I also wrote the first part of this blog on my phone while sitting there. =) I wish I could sit out on my porch and further enjoy the weather, but my little patio has a really terrible view. Not to mention I have no porch furniture. I should really be productive and clean house before the man gets home. But who wants to clean house when you have had such a busy day?
After browsing as much as much as I could without feeling like I should buy something, I bid my farewells and walked through one of the many antique stores a few doors down. After viewing all the booths without finding anything that caught my eye (other than a collection of books by Roosevelt), I was feeling thirsty and ready to be out and about some more. I pulled out my handy android and discovered that just down the street and not far from the turnpike I needed to get on in order to go home was a little coffee shop with great reviews. After some contemplation I decided to try out one of my old reliables, a caramel latte. Most places make them too sweet for my taste, and so far my favorite has been from a little drive through coffee place near my apartment. It still takes the number one spot, but I must say, this was a pretty darn good latte. It was definitely the strongest I have had to date, which was extremely refreshing.
The drive back to T-town was lovely, and the highway was well lined with trees. I also saw a train with 8 engines at the front (I believe that was on the way into town though). They must have been pulling quite a load. Not ready to go back home to my cozy cave, I stopped at the park and rolled down my window. I also wrote the first part of this blog on my phone while sitting there. =) I wish I could sit out on my porch and further enjoy the weather, but my little patio has a really terrible view. Not to mention I have no porch furniture. I should really be productive and clean house before the man gets home. But who wants to clean house when you have had such a busy day?
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