talking about green

I've never liked to spend much money. Well, that may not be completely truthful. I love to spend money, however, I strongly dislike seeing it leave my pocket.

As a kid, when my parents would give me spending money, I would use as little as possible and then store the rest away in my piggy bank. I loved the idea of saving. I think I get it from my penny-pinching father. However, the idea even transferred over into food. When we had parties at school, more often than not if there were cupcakes or brownies or some sort of sweet of the sort, it would be stored away in my desk until later...when I thought I would enjoy it more.

So last week when my friends and I played "Would you rather?" and I got the question "Would you rather have someone give you one million dollars now or ten million in ten years?" Of course, I said ten million in ten years.

Well, now when I see something and say "I could make that." I'd rather take the time to make it, than spend money and get the instant satisfaction. In the end, I've found I always get more satisfaction from blood, sweat and tears...or rather, time, craftiness and art, then just purchasing something someone else made. Although, I'll admit, I think some of my projects and "I can make that" ideas turn out to be more expensive than the store bought piece. But to me, it's worth more.

The photo at the top is a sneak peek of a project I'm working on right now. More to come soon!

the fourth

Summer was a time of happiness, barbecues, family get togethers and ultimately celebration growing up. My family would host a block party every year when we first moved into the neighborhood. We would pass out flyers a few weeks before and on that hot summer day of the party we would pull out lawn chairs, the ping pong table, basketballs and every other "toy" we had. My dad would set out ice chests full of drinks. One for the kids with soda and juice. One for the adults with beer and Coronas, only complete with a plate of sliced limes.

All the kids on the street, which there were a lot back then since it was a new neighborhood with lots of young families, would bring their bikes and roller blades and we would all ride up and down the street racing each other, sometimes almost in parade fashion. I remember loving those parties. And sometimes we would have everyone in our backyard for a pool party splashing every adult that dared to come near the pool, fighting for the rafts and noodles. It was a time when we were carefree, nothing could hurt us. Me, the other kids, nor my family.

As time went on, as it does, the kids grew older and families changed. Some parents on the street divorced, some of the kids grew too old to play with the younger ones and we all became very self aware around junior high when you just couldn't all be friends with everyone for some odd reason. The block parties eventually stopped and summer friday happy hours that another one of our neighbors hosted ended too.

I feel as though Fourth of July is kind of like New Year's Eve, it's always a great time if you have some fabulous party to go too, but if not, you end up home alone with your parents - something I found horrifying in high school. Yesterday, I was tempted to go to a few parties, but in the end, I realized I really just wanted to be that kid again with my family at a summer neighborhood block party. The problem was, that wasn't possible because there was no such thing yesterday in my neighborhood. But there was my family.

So I didn't attend a great exciting fourth of July party or even see an amazing fireworks spectacular at the lake or local park, but I did get to spend the day with my small family, however much its changed over the years. And last night after barbecuing burgers with my Dad and sitting in my grandparent's back yard next to my Uncle watching about five different fireworks shows across Orange County - only extremely small in the distance - hearing that boom, boom, boom far off, made me feel a bit like a kid again. I wasn't with a lot of people nor did we have a huge food spread or even lay out by the pool, but I spent the day with family on a hot summer afternoon and evening - the people that love me the most and the people I want to love the most.

cabin life

Instead of taking a full week of vacation this summer, I am taking quite a few weekend trips. Three weeks ago, summer began with a lovely trip to Camp Nelson for Carrie and Justin's wedding. Cabin life was fun, although, we didn't necessarily enjoy sharing our weekend home with the resident rats. We made the most of it. Here are a few photos from the weekend and what cabin life looks like..always quaint, always homey, and always full of friends.

happy anniversary

As of Tuesday, June 9, I have been working full time for one year. It is hard to believe that it was just over one year ago that I graduated from college. I love that one year later, I am still enjoying my job, still learning and still "molding" my position.

One thing I've learned since I've been in the work force is not about work at all, but about life - it is constantly evolving. When in the academy, everything is based on the academic year, holidays and breaks. Although I am still on a similar schedule because I work at a university, my life no longer revolves around the academy. I no longer have a schedule for my life in terms of school. I have no idea what the following year will hold or where I will be. Yes, I plan on staying at my job, but essentially that could change in an instant.

The wheels in my mind are constantly turning to what is next (something I am always keen on) and now in the work force, I have the resources to take action on many of the actions those wheels "turn out" and the time. With that, my life plan is always changing as I take action on new ideas and happenings. I no longer have a planned academic year. My life is mine, well God's - to do with it as he guides. And although, this was the case when I was in college, I am now much more aware of it.

So Happy Anniversary to me and another year of learning, loving, and taking action - in life and at my job!

goodbye house

Last Sunday, we sadly said the last goodbye to "our house." Of course, we couldn’t drive off without taking a snapshot of the place we lived in for the past year. However, we left ourselves out of the photo seeing as we had just driven 4 hours from the mountains and looked wretched. Here is where we lived. See why I’m sad to leave?

moving week

It's that time of year again. I am moving. This year I am saying goodbye to a house that has been extremely good to me. And for the first time, I will be living in an apartment. It will be odd moving from a house with 9 girls into an apartment where there will be 4 of us, but I am excited about more fridge space and granite countertops.

things I will miss:
- living with so many girls, surprisingly it is a lot of fun to live with so many people (esp. coming from an only child's perspective)
- the sea of green outside my window in the current house, we were so blessed to live in such a gorgeous house and location this year
- living with more of my best friends than I knew what to do with
- usually there was always at least one other person home (this may not change)
- my commute: right now, it is a mere 5 to 10 min. drive with only two stoplights to work = amazing
- having a CVS, gas station, Starbucks and grocery store a very short distance away
- living in a house in general, i think an apt. will be an adjustment in itself with living so close to other people
- and last, but not least, megan, who is moving and who i have lived with for 3 years..i could probably write a whole blog post on this one :)

things I look forward to:
- more fridge space and still living with friends
- the coy pond and waterfall outside our patio
- living somewhere brand new and right off the 5 will be convenient
- living closer to my parents' house
- the extravagant pool and fitness center at the apt.
- having fun in a new place and getting to decorate!

I'm excited for the transition, even if it does mean some goodbyes, it also means some hellos.

reaching out

My night was going to be restful — eat dinner, relax and turn in at a decent time. Most importantly, I was making my night free by skipping Bible Study. I called my friend Erin to let her know I was most likely not making the drive to Orange County for small group that night. She understood. But as I talked to her, I realized it wasn't rest I needed. It was Jesus.

Sometimes I want God to meet me in the place I am without doing any work. I want him to just keep reaching out to me. However, until I reach out to Him, my relationship will be hindered. God loves us more than we can imagine, however, until I reach out to Jesus, I will continue to seek rest as false hope. Resting in Jesus is the most strengthening rest we can achieve. Sometimes that is as simple as going to Bible Study when we'd rather stay at home.