busyness

A friend and I were emailing and both stated how busy we are. It got me thinking that it is so common for us to say how busy we are and to even try to justify it with how many jobs or hours we work, the number of grad school classes we have, activities or groups we are in, or various other commitments that we all have in our daily lives. I'm the number one culprit of falling prey to my own busy schedule. However, how often are we glorifying God despite or amongst our busyness? A few months back a sermon at church was about glorifying God with everything and anything. As long as it's not against the Bible, it doesn't matter what our jobs are, what activities we fill our evenings with, or how we choose to spend any "free" time we have. What matters is that with everything we do, we are finding ways to exalt God in our lives and thank Him for blessing us with whatever it is that fills our time. I know that I often forget that every moment of every day can be used for God, instead of just my prayer, devotional, church, and small group time. Let's continue to strive to show who God is and His love no matter how "busy" we are or what we are doing!

steps toward home-ownership: part I

Col loves to browse on the computer. He loves looking up dogs at kennels available for adoption, furniture on Craigslist, and houses for sale. Looking is free, so he can have at it. And even though we love our apartment dearly, we would like to become homeowners in the next couple of years (for my hubby this is even more important because of said issue with no pets allowed). His great-uncle is a realtor, and last fall he told us about a first-time home buyers program through a local credit union. The only requirements are buying within Monroe and Wayne counties, having an income level under a certain amount, attending a first-time home ownership class, and saving a dedicated amount of money each month for a certain length of time into a savings account. In return, the program will match $4 for every $1 that we save up to a certain amount. Believe me, I can definitely follow a few guidelines to receive free money.

We were able to go in and sign up for the program back in December. We chose to save for a total of 10 months, which would then mean that in September 2012 we would be able to move forward with a mortgage and house-hunting, given that we close on a house by the time we hit the 2 year mark of being enrolled. The only piece that we were worried about was if Col were to get a full-time teaching position which would put us just over the maximum income requirement. Since he was only subbing day-to-day and his long-term sub position had just ended, we were below the income level at the time, but knew that if given the option of a full-time position for him or continuing this program, we would most certainly take the much needed job. However (and how awesome is this?), we found out that as long as we qualified at the initial sign-up, it wouldn't matter if our income changed during the course of the program. We filled out the paperwork, put down our first month's savings, and were excitedly on our way with a promise that the financial person would go over our paperwork to finalize our eligibility and acceptance into the program. I remember walking out of the credit union, both of us giddy about the fact that we could be homeowners by that time next year. I was also reveling in the awesome fact that such programs exist for young 20-somethings who are savings-conscious but who just aren't able to buy a house on their own.

We continued to deposit our set amount each month, but hadn't heard back with final approval. I had tried contacting the woman we worked with but never received an answer. Finally, I emailed her again in hopes that my first attempt simply got overlooked. Sure enough, she wrote back that same day saying that we were approved! Even though it will be awhile, and I'm definitely not ready to leave our apartment yet, I always feel 100% better knowing that we are working toward something, even when the process is long.

And for now, my hubby has open houses lined up for us to visit every Sunday afternoon. I think that will keep us busy :)

Adventures in dog-sitting: Part 2

Our week of dog-sitting is coming to a close. One more night and we'll vacate the premises and her loving parents will be home :) I'll miss her, but I definitely won't miss being covered head to toe in yellow fur no matter how careful I am!

What other stories has our canine charge left us with? Wednesday night we had a wrestling match. I did not plan said match, but she obviously wasn't interested in going outside at that time and rather in a full-out play-fest. All I did was try to put her collar on. My mistake! It ended up with me planted on my bottom in the middle of the floor with slobbery kisses. When we finally got outside and she was happily sniffing around, one sudden pull and I found my mesh running sneaker in a large amount of mud (and since anything wet is a bad combo with mesh, I ended up having to wash and blow-dry my sneaker before rushing off to small group). Things just got dirtier from there. Details not needed, but let's just say it involved a non-trusty bag and a pile of waste.

Thursday we had a fun play-date with our friend Buddy. Put two labs under the age of two together and you've got too much energy! The pups enjoyed their social time as did we humans. {insert me realizing that I need to take more pictures for this blog because what wouldn't be cuter than showing off a chocolate and a yellow lab best friends?} Fur monster was so tired by the time we got home that she just stood up next to the bed until I literally picked her back end up to join the front half of her. She tried it again last night, but I'm on to her!

It's been a fun week though, and since her loving owners allow her on the couch and bed, we've enjoyed our furry snuggle time. I told Col to soak it in now as some rules will be different for our own...sorry future Leathersich pup!

Throughout our week of living at our friends' apartment and caring for their canine, I'm once again reminded of how much of a [sometimes OCD] routine person I am (not that I ever really forget, but go with me here). I constantly long for stability and organization. Living out of a duffel bag in another place where I don't have all of my stuff or usual routines has a tendency to easily stress me out. I told the hubby the other night that I'm once again reminded of how much I love our quiet, although extremely busy, life. Since both of us grew up always having at least one animal in the house at all times (and at one point, my fam had a total of 7 pets: 2 dogs, 2 anoles [lizards], 2 gerbils, and 1 horse [this one was not in the house!]), we've always known that we'd have at least one dog. But since our apartment which I love so much, does not allow pets, it's okay that we have this season of just the two of us. I know God blessed us with our dwelling for exactly this time in our lives as well as with the chance to be newlyweds who can go here, there, and wherever whenever. So we're enjoying this time because eventually it will become house, dog (if Col could have his way we'd adopt a dog the same day we move...), kids. Funny how a week of dog-sitting can have me remembering once again to thank God for our little life together.

Besides, we can have all the fun we want dog-sitting for everyone else! :)

Freshening up the office

Today I made myself known...or smelt that is...to everyone in every room I entered. All I did was wear some nice-smelling tropical lotion today, which apparently was very strong (that must be why my co-worker no longer wanted it and handed it off to me...). It solicited at least 4 comments:

-I walk into the lunch room, "It smells like coconuts in here.."

-First co-worker comes into the medical records room, "I smell coconuts, did you spray something?"

-Second co-worker enters said room, "Getting a good tan in here? It smells like tanning lotion!"

-At the front desk, "The perfume you have on smells so good! Every time you walk by it smells fruity!"

Yikes. Who knew I would be a walking air freshener? Definitely will re-think the next time I use that! But for today, I'll just let it whisk me away to a much-needed tropical paradise. [contented sigh]

Adventures in dog-sitting: Part 1

This week, the hubby and I are dog-sitting for some friends of ours. Now mind you, this is nowhere near the first time that we have done this. However, this particular 70-pound yellow lab wants to leave me with some memories :)

Our friends offered for us to stay at their apartment since ours doesn't allow pets. So we decided on which nights would be easiest to stay there (most of them) and settled in. The first night we decided that it just wasn't going to work to have our furry friend in the bed[room] with us, so out I chased her. While I pride myself on my ability to walk around in the dark, even without contacts in, I seemed to forget that I wasn't in a well-known place. The combination of no light and unfamiliarity found me colliding full speed into the TV stand with my bare leg. As if that wasn't enough, I also tripped over the dog's fan cord while going to get ice. I've got a nice bumpy bruise to remember that night by!

This weekend it snowed, a lot. And what dog doesn't love bounding through the snow, this one included? I think I need to start working out more though because today she took off running and dragged me straight into my parked car. She's strong + the ground was quite slippery + my boots just couldn't take it = I got a wonderful body-plant into the side of my Suzuki. Take note, even that didn't stop her.

Thank goodness for being able to laugh at myself!

random ramblings

I apologize for the lack of posting lately...my shortage of time was the one factor that I didn't think of when starting up this blog :) I'm working on content though, I promise!

To update on Saturday's donation: everything went GREAT! After hearing from multiple people that drinking water is key, I drowned myself for the 24 hours leading up to my appointment. Friday night I thought I'd had enough when I said to Col, "I think I drank too much water, my stomach hurts." However, that's probably not possible, huh? Kudos to everyone who offered the advice (and to my small group for praying for me...yes, I was nervous enough to make it one of my prayer requests), because I gave like a champ and was done super fast! Also, not once did I feel woozy or in need of taking that blood back. The only minor snag? When she was doing my intake I told her the wrong social security number. Chalk it up to nerves; I swear I wasn't trying to commit identity theft.

The other day I booked an overnight trip to Toronto through a Living Social deal that we bought a few months ago. After waiting on hold and shamefully being that person who keeps calling back instead of waiting over 10 minutes (oops. We had a Superbowl party to get to!), I was helped by a very cheery Canadian who just loved the fact that our zip code contains only numbers. She said it was "so cool" and "very smart" of us. My friend received the same sentiment when she called to book their night (we're traveling together). The hotel desk clerk couldn't get over the fact that she was calling from the U.S. and lived in New York, but not New York City. Our poor state always gets forgotten because of that little tail wisp.

My hubby and I started our exercise routine this week! It's true, we hardly ever exercise (or should I say...never), but we are obsessed with Just Dance for Wii. And, bonus, they have a "just sweat" program where it logs our "sweats!" We dance a few intense songs and we're good to go for the day. Right now we are on the program that is equivalent to walking 30 minutes a day, but we've already doubled the number of "sweats" for that. I LOVE working out without even knowing it, having so much fun dancing around our living room like crazies together.

Lastly, Col has decided to keep our heat incredibly low for the past few days. Granted, we are newlyweds on a tight budget, but winter is not over! Thankfully I was able to inch it up a few degrees when I got home last night :) Always in that process of compromise!

[learning to] give back

In about 45 minutes, I will give blood for the first time. For the past few years, Writers & Books has hosted a drive and since I am the Saturday staff person, I've always been working during them. It doesn't bother me to be around it all, and I'm not afraid of needles. Today though, I'm nervous! It's such a simple procedure and there is a huge need for so many people, yet it strikes me how with things like this, it's so easy to be selfish. Our sinful human nature kicks in and excuses are easy to find. Colin has always encouraged me to donate, reminding me of what a difference it makes for people and saying he would if he could, but my excuse of being "too close" to the weight limit has kept me at bay. This year was no different, but since I promised him I would participate the next time that W&B hosted a drive, it's now time to step up! Wish me luck!