This was a weekend of firsts. First pedicure, first set of acrylic nails, first time being a bridesmaid, first reception with dancing, first time driving to Coffeyville by myself. Basically, this was a weekend that exploited my naivety. Here are some misconceptions I had.
Pedicures tickle. They don't; maybe because I have tough feet. Yeah, the poor lady had to use a cheese grater on my feet...or what looked to be a cheese grater. I blame sandals and going barefoot most of my life.
Acrylic nails are plastic things they glue on your real nails. False. Only the tip (white part) of the nail is plastic. The rest is this clear cement stuff. Aka acrylic? This is also where they used a dremel. Who would have thought? I'm pretty sure a sheer look of panic crossed my face when they brought that out.
Acrylic nails will easily break off. Yeah, right. They are on there for good. Never coming off. I feel a strong connection with the Wolverine.
All dancing is awkward. In reality, only being forced to dance with a perfect stranger is awkward. Choosing to dance with a complete stranger is actually quite entertaining. Thanks for my first not-so-awkward dance.
Here are some other things that I learned/realized.
Big, poofy white wedding dresses are not for me. No, thank you.
The maid of honor and the best man sign the wedding license.
The Logo game is quite entertaining.
Geocaching is the most awesome thing I have ever heard of!!! It's like treasure hunting in a land locked state. Someone pleeeeeese take me. I don't have an iphone.
I like cheesy pick up lines more than any girl should.
Logic is always needed when dealing with flowers and ice chests.
If I ever have a girl child she's in for a world of hurt. I can't do hair, I can't do makeup, I can barely do fingernail polish.
I pronounce apparently with an extra syllable. Like appar-RE-ent-ly.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Guide to Quiet Times on Campus Part 1
Whether you just have an extra fifty minutes between classes or a full lunch hour, this time can be used wisely by studying the Word instead of scrolling through facebook. Here are my suggested steps to making it happen!
Step 1: leave your house prepared
This means pack your Bible, journal and writing utensil in your purse or backpack. This is unless you have one of those fancy phones with a Bible app. I prefer the real deal.
If you plan on eating during this break, pack your food too. Standing in line takes at least 20 minutes not counting the time it takes you to eat the food. For some reason I cannot eat and read at the same time.
Step 2: plan the location
There are a ton of places you can go for a successful quite time. Later I will rate the places I have found. Expect the full list of places and ratings in mid-June.
Think about where you would like to go between your other classes or when you're getting ready in the morning that way you can head straight there and not waste any time.
If you need to run an errand do so before you start your quite time and then pick a place close by to do it at. For instance, today I need to run to the post office located in the basement of the student union. There are several chairs and couches in the basement perfect for quite times. So I'll have it there.
Step 3: set your alarm
Everyone one has a phone attached to their hip these days. Go in and set an alarm for 5-10 minutes before your next class (that is unless you are in the quite section of the library). This keeps you focused on reading the Word and not checking your phone every 7 verses to see what time it is.
Just because I'm allowing you to use your phone does not mean it's okay to use it for any other purpose other than the alarm during this time. Let those texts and phone calls wait. You're spending time with the Father. Don't answer.
Step 4: relax
Stop thinking about your last class or your next class or the homework you need to do. Just stop, take a deep breath, and say a little prayer. Get focused and transfer yourself into a time of Word reading.
Step 5: launch quite time
Your in a comfortable position with food at hand. Begin reading and meditating on what the Word of God is saying. Put it into your own words and come up with ways you can apply it to your life.
Step 1: leave your house prepared
This means pack your Bible, journal and writing utensil in your purse or backpack. This is unless you have one of those fancy phones with a Bible app. I prefer the real deal.
If you plan on eating during this break, pack your food too. Standing in line takes at least 20 minutes not counting the time it takes you to eat the food. For some reason I cannot eat and read at the same time.
I would suggest eating things that only take one hand. My lunch favorites are crackers and apples, almonds and yogurt, crackers and juice, coffee, and the occasional pb&j. Anything that is quick and mess free is the best bet, especially if your doing the quite time outside with the Oklahoma wind blowing 50 mph.
Step 2: plan the location
There are a ton of places you can go for a successful quite time. Later I will rate the places I have found. Expect the full list of places and ratings in mid-June.
Think about where you would like to go between your other classes or when you're getting ready in the morning that way you can head straight there and not waste any time.
If you need to run an errand do so before you start your quite time and then pick a place close by to do it at. For instance, today I need to run to the post office located in the basement of the student union. There are several chairs and couches in the basement perfect for quite times. So I'll have it there.
Step 3: set your alarm
Everyone one has a phone attached to their hip these days. Go in and set an alarm for 5-10 minutes before your next class (that is unless you are in the quite section of the library). This keeps you focused on reading the Word and not checking your phone every 7 verses to see what time it is.
Just because I'm allowing you to use your phone does not mean it's okay to use it for any other purpose other than the alarm during this time. Let those texts and phone calls wait. You're spending time with the Father. Don't answer.
Step 4: relax
Stop thinking about your last class or your next class or the homework you need to do. Just stop, take a deep breath, and say a little prayer. Get focused and transfer yourself into a time of Word reading.
Step 5: launch quite time
Your in a comfortable position with food at hand. Begin reading and meditating on what the Word of God is saying. Put it into your own words and come up with ways you can apply it to your life.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Thunder Up!
Considering this post mentions OKC Thunder or the players at least 3 times, and the fact that it's what I'm thinking about right now I decided to name it as such.
At the beginning of the summer I decided to take Friday's off of work in order to spend extra time with family and friends. About 30 seconds after making that decision all my Friday's were booked. So here's my weekend starting with Thursday night.
Thursday- I spent every second between 5:30 and 9 in the kitchen where I simultaneously baked citrus butter cookies and chicken spaghetti. Both recipes complements of Pioneer Woman. Yeah, I'm a huge fan. I finished my first week of couch to 5K with my friend, then I think maybe I watched a movie afterwards, but obviously that wasn't as memorable as the food.
Friday- Got up early, had iced coffee out of a mason jar, and went to the Botanic Gardens in the City with my mommy. On the way up we tossed back and forth ideas on how to separate where we park and where our yard starts. I think we have a winner. After the botanic garden tour (where I saw a cactus that looked like a brain) mom gave me permission and money to buy an Oklahoma City Thunder shirt. I had to choose between fashion and Collison. I chose Collison. Sorry Durant and Westbrook...and fashion Then we went to a wholesale flower shop. My best friend is getting married and I'm in charge of flowers. Another success. Then I watched the Thunder game until after midnight and stumbled into bed. I am NOT a night owl.
Saturday- I woke up, ate breakfast, and watched Golden Girls until they went off. Then I sat around the house flipping through channels until lunch. After lunch I studied for my Sunday school lesson and got ready for my night out with another friend. We went to the Blue Dome Arts Festival in Tulsa. After looking at everything once, we went back to our favorite artists and ended up getting rings. Of course. What else would we get? We proceeded to a restaurant where the menu was very confusing. I'm not even sure it was in English. We got pizza. It was the only thing that we could understand, but it was good. I could eat pizza every day of my life. Pizza and peanut butter and jelly. And ice cream. Then the Thunder game 4 in LA. We won!!! And I missed it because we were consistently 10 points behind with less than 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter so I went to bed. Bummer. Real bummer. I cannot emphasize how upset I am.
Sunday- I got up, made breakfast: blueberry pancakes and bacon. Then went to church to teach my wonderful boys, ate lunch at grandma's house, and then took a fat nap only to return back to church. It was fantastic.
At the beginning of the summer I decided to take Friday's off of work in order to spend extra time with family and friends. About 30 seconds after making that decision all my Friday's were booked. So here's my weekend starting with Thursday night.
Thursday- I spent every second between 5:30 and 9 in the kitchen where I simultaneously baked citrus butter cookies and chicken spaghetti. Both recipes complements of Pioneer Woman. Yeah, I'm a huge fan. I finished my first week of couch to 5K with my friend, then I think maybe I watched a movie afterwards, but obviously that wasn't as memorable as the food.
Friday- Got up early, had iced coffee out of a mason jar, and went to the Botanic Gardens in the City with my mommy. On the way up we tossed back and forth ideas on how to separate where we park and where our yard starts. I think we have a winner. After the botanic garden tour (where I saw a cactus that looked like a brain) mom gave me permission and money to buy an Oklahoma City Thunder shirt. I had to choose between fashion and Collison. I chose Collison. Sorry Durant and Westbrook...and fashion Then we went to a wholesale flower shop. My best friend is getting married and I'm in charge of flowers. Another success. Then I watched the Thunder game until after midnight and stumbled into bed. I am NOT a night owl.
Saturday- I woke up, ate breakfast, and watched Golden Girls until they went off. Then I sat around the house flipping through channels until lunch. After lunch I studied for my Sunday school lesson and got ready for my night out with another friend. We went to the Blue Dome Arts Festival in Tulsa. After looking at everything once, we went back to our favorite artists and ended up getting rings. Of course. What else would we get? We proceeded to a restaurant where the menu was very confusing. I'm not even sure it was in English. We got pizza. It was the only thing that we could understand, but it was good. I could eat pizza every day of my life. Pizza and peanut butter and jelly. And ice cream. Then the Thunder game 4 in LA. We won!!! And I missed it because we were consistently 10 points behind with less than 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter so I went to bed. Bummer. Real bummer. I cannot emphasize how upset I am.
Sunday- I got up, made breakfast: blueberry pancakes and bacon. Then went to church to teach my wonderful boys, ate lunch at grandma's house, and then took a fat nap only to return back to church. It was fantastic.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Aquaculture + Hydroponic = Aquaponic
First agricultural post. This is exciting!
Some definition for clarification...
Aquaculture- raising fish in big tubs; fish meant to be eaten that is.
Hydroponic- growing plants (usually vegetables and herbs) in water instead of soil.
Aquaponic- using the yucky poop water from the fish tank to water/fertilize the yummy plants.
Okay, so this is a system designed to maximize organic food production while using limited resources wisely. Question is, will it work and is it practical...in Honduras. Six months from now I will know the answer to this question, hopefully.
For now I have more questions.
What is available to make this system out of? And is it affordable?
There is a bazillion ways to set up the system. Which is the best for flaky electricity?
Will it be managed correctly?
How hard is it to operate a system, really? It sounds like the pH and the temperature are tricky to control.
Would the people even eat the fish, usually tilapia? I'm not a tilapia fan. Trout, yes. Tilapia, no.
Speaking about fish, I want to go fishing.
Speaking about fishing, I want to go camping.
Speaking about camping, I want a s'more.
Oh, wait...this post is about aquaponics.
Thoughts?
Some definition for clarification...
Aquaculture- raising fish in big tubs; fish meant to be eaten that is.
Hydroponic- growing plants (usually vegetables and herbs) in water instead of soil.
Aquaponic- using the yucky poop water from the fish tank to water/fertilize the yummy plants.
Okay, so this is a system designed to maximize organic food production while using limited resources wisely. Question is, will it work and is it practical...in Honduras. Six months from now I will know the answer to this question, hopefully.
For now I have more questions.
What is available to make this system out of? And is it affordable?
There is a bazillion ways to set up the system. Which is the best for flaky electricity?
Will it be managed correctly?
How hard is it to operate a system, really? It sounds like the pH and the temperature are tricky to control.
Would the people even eat the fish, usually tilapia? I'm not a tilapia fan. Trout, yes. Tilapia, no.
Speaking about fish, I want to go fishing.
Speaking about fishing, I want to go camping.
Speaking about camping, I want a s'more.
Oh, wait...this post is about aquaponics.
Thoughts?
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sundays
Top 10 reasons why Sundays are my favorite day of the week.
1. I'm out of bed an hour before everyone else gets up. This means quality me time.
2. I get an entire pot of fresh coffee to myself. I most always drink it out of a Snoopy coffee cup.
3. I have a reason to wear lipstick! I try to be conservative and not bust out the bright red.
4. I get to spend an hour acting like a 6th grade boy. Did I say that? I mean I get to spend an hour shaping the minds of young men.
This Sunday was Mother's Day so they made hearts covered with glitter for their moms. This is the mess I had to clean up.
Which was worth it because only on Mother's Day will you find this drawn in excess glitter on the table.
5. I practice my secret handshakes with Jerry and Kenny. Two of the best men you will ever know.
6. I get Grandma's famous cooking!!!!! Yes, all those exclamation points are needed.
This Sunday we had both my favorite things- hot rolls and chocolate pie.
7. The paper has comics in it. This week wasn't very funny.
8. I get to take a nap. Well, normally.
9. My craftiness gets to be utilized.
I make my Sunday school class notes that I mail them once a week. It reminds them what we talked about and has their memory verse on it. This weeks theme was Captain America, Iron Man, the Hulk, and Thor. In short, testimonies are important and Jesus is stronger than the Hulk. The connection would make more since if your were 12.
Their memory verse is...
1. I'm out of bed an hour before everyone else gets up. This means quality me time.
2. I get an entire pot of fresh coffee to myself. I most always drink it out of a Snoopy coffee cup.
3. I have a reason to wear lipstick! I try to be conservative and not bust out the bright red.
4. I get to spend an hour acting like a 6th grade boy. Did I say that? I mean I get to spend an hour shaping the minds of young men.
This Sunday was Mother's Day so they made hearts covered with glitter for their moms. This is the mess I had to clean up.
Which was worth it because only on Mother's Day will you find this drawn in excess glitter on the table.
5. I practice my secret handshakes with Jerry and Kenny. Two of the best men you will ever know.
6. I get Grandma's famous cooking!!!!! Yes, all those exclamation points are needed.
This Sunday we had both my favorite things- hot rolls and chocolate pie.
7. The paper has comics in it. This week wasn't very funny.
8. I get to take a nap. Well, normally.
9. My craftiness gets to be utilized.
I make my Sunday school class notes that I mail them once a week. It reminds them what we talked about and has their memory verse on it. This weeks theme was Captain America, Iron Man, the Hulk, and Thor. In short, testimonies are important and Jesus is stronger than the Hulk. The connection would make more since if your were 12.
Their memory verse is...
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love."
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
10. This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
We are Woman
Yes, I know the difference between woman and women. I chose woman because I wanted to, not because I have poor grammatical skills.
Let's face it, women are often misunderstood. Half the time I misunderstand myself. After reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge I have a new appreciation for women and all that we encompass.
Notes about Captivating. Great book, very insightful with personal real-life, vulnerable stories. Read with discernment and look up all the Biblical references. Sometimes they are not exactly in context.
Here are just some of the many women I appreciate*.
Mom. She's beautiful, courageous, and she loves me even when I roll my eyes and give a big sigh.
Lula Pearl. The. best. grandmother. ever. She makes the best pies and hot rolls and cinnamon rolls and chicken soup and pretty much everything else food related. And she has the biggest heart and the strongest love.
Kelsey. The music guru and free spirit that I look up to. We have the same heart and that alone is beyond comforting.
Amber. Loving, fashionable, shutterbug, this-is-who-i-am Amber. She sees beauty in everything, loves Christ with all her heart, and (even though she doesn't know this) makes me just want to be me. Cue One Tree Hill theme song circa 2003.
Jessica and Lauren. Cousins through thick and thin. We take a new picture together practically every time we see each other. And we laugh at other family members who...well, let's just say family reunion 2012.
*This list doesn't include the girls a the BCM who have been very influential in my life the past three years, my two dear, dear bestest friends who are more like other versions of myself than separate people, and Kristina who buys me soup and tells the waiter I need a fork because I can't use chopsticks, and every other woman who has played a significant part in my life. There are too many to list. The blog would go on for ever and ever, but you know who you are!
Let's face it, women are often misunderstood. Half the time I misunderstand myself. After reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge I have a new appreciation for women and all that we encompass.
Notes about Captivating. Great book, very insightful with personal real-life, vulnerable stories. Read with discernment and look up all the Biblical references. Sometimes they are not exactly in context.
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| Just so I'm not stealing anything, I got this picture here. I do not endorse this site. |
Mom. She's beautiful, courageous, and she loves me even when I roll my eyes and give a big sigh.
Lula Pearl. The. best. grandmother. ever. She makes the best pies and hot rolls and cinnamon rolls and chicken soup and pretty much everything else food related. And she has the biggest heart and the strongest love.
Kelsey. The music guru and free spirit that I look up to. We have the same heart and that alone is beyond comforting.
Amber. Loving, fashionable, shutterbug, this-is-who-i-am Amber. She sees beauty in everything, loves Christ with all her heart, and (even though she doesn't know this) makes me just want to be me. Cue One Tree Hill theme song circa 2003.
Jessica and Lauren. Cousins through thick and thin. We take a new picture together practically every time we see each other. And we laugh at other family members who...well, let's just say family reunion 2012.
*This list doesn't include the girls a the BCM who have been very influential in my life the past three years, my two dear, dear bestest friends who are more like other versions of myself than separate people, and Kristina who buys me soup and tells the waiter I need a fork because I can't use chopsticks, and every other woman who has played a significant part in my life. There are too many to list. The blog would go on for ever and ever, but you know who you are!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Iced Coffee Anyone?
Sometimes when I'm bored and have the world (via the internet) at my fingertips I search for recipes. I am not a wife nor a mother and therefore do not yet have the ability to cook without them. At least that's my excuse.
This time I found a recipe from The Pioneer Woman for homemade iced coffee that is actually comparable (I think better) than iced coffee at coffee shops. Ree has fantastic pictures of the process on her blog so I won't add any of my not-so-good-ones here.
Beware, the recipe does make loads of coffee. You might want to cut it in half. Also, when your separating the grounds, lining a normal strainer with paper towels works great! No cheesecloth is needed.
I followed Ree's suggestion in using a quarter half and half along with 2-3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk. It is de-lish! Oh, and FYI it does taste way better coming from an old mason jar.
This time I found a recipe from The Pioneer Woman for homemade iced coffee that is actually comparable (I think better) than iced coffee at coffee shops. Ree has fantastic pictures of the process on her blog so I won't add any of my not-so-good-ones here.
Beware, the recipe does make loads of coffee. You might want to cut it in half. Also, when your separating the grounds, lining a normal strainer with paper towels works great! No cheesecloth is needed.
I followed Ree's suggestion in using a quarter half and half along with 2-3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk. It is de-lish! Oh, and FYI it does taste way better coming from an old mason jar.
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