Always in a rush

People are always in a rush. The traffic light doesn't stay green long enough, and you're running late. The lady at the counter is searching every crevice of her purse for exact change, and you're running late. The man in front of you is talking on one phone and emailing on another, and you're impatiently waiting behind him because you're running late. Rarely do people live in the present these days. It's always rush rush rush, prepare for the future.

Growing up, it seemed that each year in school we were always taught the curriculum for the next year. It never seemed that anyone ever prepared us for the here and now, it was always for the future. In 3rd grade, we learned what the 4th graders were learning, so that we'd be prepared for 4th grade, but when we actually reached 4th grade, we learned what the 5th graders were learning and so on. Well, maybe it didn't work that way for everyone, but that's what my education consisted of.

I love holidays. I really do. I've always been that gal that wants to be the girlfriend/fiancee/wife/mom that has the house decorated, the themed food and serving items and just go to town. I love July 4th, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day, St Patrick's Day, Easter, Memorial & Labor Day and any other reason to celebrate, make cool things to eat and display them in themed ware. But after a trip to Target I was sad. It wasn't even Halloween yet and Christmas decorations were already beginning to slowly show up. It was shortly after Halloween that I noticed a local radio station began playing Christmas music on the radio during the weekends, Starbucks started serving their Christmas/Winter flavors at least 2 if not 3 weeks ago and it isn't even Thanksgiving yet. Thanksgiving, one of the most important and underrated holidays, seems to be forgotten more and more each year because the retail world wants to capitalize on the insane amounts of money they collect during Christmas. It makes me sad. Too often we rush through life to get to the next step that we forget to enjoy the here and now. I think it's time we all sit down and enjoy life in the present, stop worrying about the future and really be thankful for what we do have. The future will come, and sure we'll be prepared, but there's no sense in getting your Christmas decorations if you haven't even gone Trick or Treating!

God thinks He's funny!

I went to get my car oil changed today for the first time in this new city. This meant leaving the comforts of the same small, family owned, next to a really good also family owned restaurant, that I've been too for the past 4 years, give or take a few oil changes. Already, I was sad to be out of my comfort zone and having to meet new car people that I don't yet know or trust. I have an older car and I'm a girl so naturally I don't deal well with car stuff and often feel like I'm being taken advantage of when I go to new places, hence my hesitation.

I'm a multitasker and I don't like to waste time so I decided that it would be best if I went to the Meineke Car Care Center that was going to be on my way to the interstate so I could head to Ikea and a few other places after that. In my mind it was a great plan and I was thinking I'd be there for 30-45 minutes tops and I'd be on my merry way to craziness to be found inside Ikea! Well, God had another plan.

I spent 3 hours sitting on a bench outside of the garage waiting for my car to be fixed. What was supposed to be a simple oil change turned into a cracked radiator that needed to be fixed immediately, a very costly oil change, and 2.5 hours more than I had "scheduled" into my day.

After being told the "severity" of a cracked radiator and being informed of the price to get a new one, I was shocked and upset to say the least. Thankfully, it was a beautiful day so I chose to sit outside and watch the cars drive by. I've passed this same sign before, but today I took this picture and had to just laugh and think "I have a blog now and I so need this for my next post"

How funny is God though? Here I am, sitting on a bench, outside of a car place, crying (i'm not an emotional person, I was just sleepy and worked for 11 days straight and had so many things to accomplish on my day off) as I write my Mom an e-mail because I was just distraught over an unexpected financial bombshell and God is telling me, on a huge sign, to not worry but to pray. So on that bench I did just that. I prayed to God for wisdom, guidance and the ability to rise above unexpected costs and to be thankful that I have a car and a job. And when I was done praying, my Mom called, and I cried some more and after all the talking, crying and praying, my car was done. And God was right. I need not worry about anything, but just pray because He hears our prayers.

I did still make it to Ikea and for the first time since I've moved here, I am going to sleep in my own bed tonight! YAY! God is good!

Goodnight!

oh my stars! i started a blog!

Hello Blog World!

I feel compelled to dedicate this first entry to the two gals that suggested that I start a blog. I know that it's possible to link to other blogs, but let's face it, I have no idea how any of this whole "having my own blog thing" works! Really, I've probably spent the better part of a year reading a handful of blogs (what can I say, I was unemployed and found hope and humor from reading about other people while endlessly seeking a job), of people I've never even met. First it was my 7th grade literature teacher (ok, so i know her). From her blog I discovered MckMama and miracle baby Stellan. Next, I found Bring the Rain, and the touching story about the oh too short life of sweet baby Audrey Caroline. Angie's blog led me to Kelly's Korner and her adorable miracle baby, Harper. I also discovered the Williams' family and feel blessed to have met Patrice, Matt and their cutie pie of a son, Jonah. The funniest blog world to real life story....meeting the creator of Graham Crakas mother-in-law, and of course having to start to read her blog and finally, after almost two months...creating my own! Gasp!

I'm still getting the hang of life in a new city as well as having a blog. Who knows, this could be tons of fun! Thanks for reading!