Gray Days and Sucky News

I desperately miss the sun. 

There really is something about day after day of gray and rainy skies that just gets to you (or me rather).  I've been in a blah mood all week (and I don't have hormones to blame) and I really can't pin point why.  We found out on Wednesday that we didn't qualify for a home loan (Apparently quitting your job and leaving the country for 6 months is not a good idea prior to purchasing a home).  Oh well, lesson learned. 

Although that news sucked...I was feeling crappy before that; so I dunno what the root of this mood is; I keep chalking it up to the weather. 

How are you feeling these days?

Wanted: Trip To Anywhere

Lately I've been longing for a getaway.  I've been looking at old photos and thinking back to all of the traveling that Andy and I did once we got married and something is stirring in me.  Not just to get away...but the simpleness of it all.  I love that I rarely thought about my appearance (half the hostels we stayed in didn't have mirrors!), I wasn't concerned about money (living and traveling in 2nd world countries make you feel sick with wealth), and newlywed life was so exciting (it still is, but there are all the mundane/anxiety driven things that we now think about...ie, taxes, jobs, house hunting, kids, savings, etc). 

Don't get me wrong; life is good...I think I just need a vacation. 

Oh, how I miss this.  

Adult Decisions

It's hard to believe, but Andy and I have been living in Tacoma and in our apartment for just over 6 months.  It's taken 6 months for our landlord to finally install the 100 year old Italian chandelier that was supposed to be hung when we moved in.

I'm thrilled it has finally been done, but we are so over apartment living. (More specifically living in this apartment). We are waiting to get approved for a home loan and then the house hunt begins...kind of.  We've put on hold getting a "normal" home, and instead are searching for a triplex or 4plex.  It seems like a financially responsible and prudent thing to do during these economic times. I've been feeling very "adult" lately having conversation about "mortgages" and "financing."

Ironically, I have no idea what I'm talking about!

Have you made any "adult" decisions lately?

Finding Balance

If I could describe myself over the past month one word comes to mind.  Overwhelmed.  My job was taking over my life and I found myself pushing everything else aside.  Blogging, my health, my husband, God...just to name a few.  Life got seriously out of whack and my stress level was maxed.  It turned into a pretty serious conflict between Andy and I and so I decided I had to set boundaries for myself.  The morning is usually my time to catch up on emails, read and write blogs and get prepared for my day.  It used to be a time I would spend time with God, journal, pray, have coffee with my husband and then go to the gym. 

I committed to changing my routine around.  Spending time with God is my priority.  And guess what?  I've had two great, "balanced" weeks.  I've been back at the gym, I've had more time to spend with my husband, more time to spend with friends, and over all have just been able to manage my stress better.  I do miss what's going on in my fellow bloggers lives--I've been able to pop in here and there when I've got some extra time. 

How do you find balance when things get out of whack?

Where's My Head?

Everyone insists I'm pregnant.

In the last week I have consistently misplaced my keys and wallet.  I forgot to pay last months rent, I showed up at the grocery store without my wallet, I've walked head on into walls, I've lost my train of thought in mid conversation...and the list goes on.

This weekend I anxiously awaited my period...and it arrived. (Thank you Jesus!)

So contrary to what everyone is saying, I'm NOT pregnant!

Does ginko biloba really help with memory?  Someone please tell me I'm not the only one?!

For No Reason At All

When I came home from work yesterday I saw this on our coffee table.

 A note with a bunch of wrapped gifts.  

I've said this before, but I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!

Imperfect Perfection

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”

What a beautiful creation woman is. What a unique set of traits and trials we all have and endure.

I wish I could say that every morning when I look in the mirror I absolutely love the person looking back at me. The truth is, at various times in my life, I’ve hated that person; I’ve noticed every imperfection; I’ve seen insecurity and fear; I’ve stared through my own eyes and seen sadness and darkness. On the flip side, I’ve sometimes admired that person, I’ve found beauty in my imperfections; I’ve seen confidence and courage; I’ve looked through my eyes and into my soul and seen pure joy and happiness. I prefer the second option and I believe the image of the second reflection more and more as I grow in my faith and womanhood.

Keep in mind that these words flow from the conviction of my personal faith…this is my experience and by no means are my intentions to push my convictions on anyone else.

At one time or another, these are labels that have been attached to me.
• Fat
• Ugly
• Poor
• Worthless
• Broken
• Emotional…just to name a few.

Am I the only one? I know most of my female friends have lived in to these labels at one time or another. What helps me let go of my imperfectness are words and encouragement from my maker.

From Psalm 139

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

you formed me in my mother's womb.

I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!

Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared

before I'd even lived one day. 

I cannot read these words without thinking that God knew what he was doing when he made my teeth crooked which in turn makes my smile crooked and my face a little asymmetrical. That he made my heart so tender that I cry at hallmark commercials. That the sadness I used to see in my reflection has helped me relate to someone else and given them hope.

When the world has labeled me, when I have labeled myself, I find hope and comfort in the fact that I am a daughter of the most high King; the artwork of the creator of the universe…and in His eyes, I am perfection.

In honor of International Women's Day, I've guest posted along with many other women. You can find my post at 11am pst.

"In Her Own Words: In Celebration of International Women's Day 2011" was created to share and celebrate the experiences of women from many walks of life. All day Tuesday, March 8th Any Other Wedding and One Cat Per Person will feature posts written by a collective of intelligent, passionate and opinionated women bloggers from the United States and the United Kingdom. We encourage you to comment and create dialouge as well as visit their respective blogs. The conversation starts here, but it does not need to end here. Be sure to stop by Any Other Wedding and One Cat Per Person throughout the day to read all of the posts in the series. For more information about International Women's Day, visit www.internationalwomensday.com
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Banner: Joshua Gomby

Ignoring The Call

Have you ever ignored someone who kept calling you over and over and over again---someone you loved dearly?  For a little over two weeks I've been ignoring God's call.  I've felt his presence as I've blogged, as I've worked, as I've watched TV....I've heard him saying, "I'm here...I'll take those burdens that are piling up and weighing you down."  But I've ignored him, and this weekend those burdens took hold of me and I experienced a mini-emotional break down. 

It is amazing the peace and relief that comes from spending time with my maker...Sometimes the most important people in our lives are the easiest to ignore.

How do you find peace?

Introductions...

I love the blog world and the "friends" I've met online...but what is even cooler is meeting bloggers in person.  I've become friends with two gals in Tacoma only to find out that they blog too!!  One is a photographer/artist blogger, and the other is a fashion/style/artist blogger who also does blog design!  Check em out!

Meet Lindsy:

Photograph via LMR Photography

Meet Libby:

Photo Via Delightfully Tacky

Do you have local friends who blog?

Community + A New Recipe

Every Monday night a random group of people gather in my living room for food, praise, fellowship and discussion about Faith.  This is what we call church.  A place where anyone can come no matter where they are in their faith journey...we have professed Athiest's and Agnostic's who come and add a lot of good tension to our discussions.  It's a place where we can share our brokenness, ask questions, pray and be prayed for.  I love our little church.  What I really love is the fellowship and "breaking bread" with each other before we get into discussions.  It's pot luck style and people can bring anything, but I suggested an Asian theme last Monday and decided to make home made fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce.  It was quite delicious if I do say so myself!

 Fresh Spring Rolls Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces rice vermicelli
• 8 rice wrappers (8.5 inch diameter)
• 8 large cooked shrimp - peeled, deveined and cut in half
• 1 1/3 tablespoons chopped fresh Thai basil
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 leaves lettuce, chopped
• 2 thinly sliced carrots
• 8 cooked shrimp (optional)

Peanut Sauce

• 3/4 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1-1/2 teaspoons fish sauce
• 1-1/2 teaspoons hot sauce
• 1-1/2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar

You can find rice noodles and rice paper at Asian Markets

I used regular basil instead of Thai basil.

Directions

1. Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil. Boil rice vermicelli 3 to 5 minutes, or until al dente, and drain.
2. Fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip one wrapper into the hot water for a few seconds until it becomes flimsy and softens. Lay wrapper flat. In a row across the center, place 2 shrimp halves, a handful of vermicelli, basil, mint, cilantro and lettuce, leaving about 2 inches uncovered on each side. Fold uncovered sides inward, then tightly roll the wrapper, beginning at the end with the lettuce. Repeat with remaining ingredients. 

Directions for Peanut Sauce:

1.  In a bowl, mix the peanut butter, coconut milk, lime juice, soy sauce, fish sauce, hot sauce, and garlic.

 

 Leave whole or cut in half!  Enjoy!