After Friday I feel like I should go back to the days of safety town... When I was growing up the local churches would always host a "safety town" exhibit where you'd take your bike and learn some rules of the road to keep you safe.
But perhaps I should back up. I woke up Friday feeling like I just needed to go back to bed, pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep. But none the less, I got ready & made my way in to work. All transpired as expected, crazy clients - air head agents - the usual. And then I ran some errands for work, get some signatures from a builder client, install a lockbox & then pick up my lunch - chicken yakisoba from the BEST teriyaki joint in town. Finished up by making my way back to the office. Took my normal route - and then WHAM! Rear ended a lady on 17th...going maybe 15-20mph, but boy was it enough to darn near total my car (the jury's still out...waiting to hear from insurance, cross your fingers!). Both headlights are busted, bumpers smashed, hood bent up, air bags deployed (scariest thing I've encountered in a while...), smashed windshield, twisted frame (enough to pop up my then-closed sunroof), and a trunk not wanting to open.
Thank you Jesus that myself nor the other lady was seriously hurt (I was mostly shaken, had a sore neck & a small cut on my finger). My car got towed & my wonderfully amazing, & calm, mother came & got me.
Here's the biggest lessons I'm learning from this....my family is amazing (rather than paying for a rental car, my parents are letting us borrow one of their cars until we get a new one) and calm. My husband is so gentle, I spent the majority of Friday night beating myself up for "putting us in a position" where we have to buy a new car when that wasn't the "plan." And he spent the rest of the time hugging me, rubbing my shoulders, giving me kisses - and calmly & gently telling me not worry, we'll get it figured out, and there's a reason it's called an accident. Finally...in the end of it all, the stuff isn't what matters. It's really all about the people you surround yourself with & living your life doing the right thing no matter what.
So the goal now is to find a car that sticks strictly to our budget, and will work for us in the long haul (we're Dave Ramsey nuts!) so that we steer clear from debt!
All in all...God is good, He protects, and has surrounded me with incredibly good, kind, & loving people.
Life is good!
<3
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Time for Commitment
1. If you need an extra walk break - take it!
When you feel like you're pushing too hard - to the point of pure exhaustion and deflation, slow down! You aren't running anyone else into the ground but yourself! So take that extra minute and slow your breathing, slow your thoughts.
2. Miles are miles - no matter how you get it done
This has been one of the hardest things for me to come to terms with. I guess I always thought that I had to run full speed the whole time! Because when it came down to it, I had to win! When in reality, the fact that I am up, being active & outside is significant. Being active & moving is just the beginning!
3. Always finish together - even if that means you have to double back
No matter what you always stick together. When you're feeling good & pulling ahead of the pack, be sure to keep an eye on the people who you started with. They may not be feeling so great that day, and so you double back and stick together so that everyone can finish together! The people that you start the journey with are the ones you should finish it with.
And so I am committing myself to my running "family" - they are a wonderful group of women who I greatly admire. Each is very different, and brings very different skills to the group. But when even one person is missing you can feel the impact immediately.
Not only do I love how I feel physically after my runs -- I love how I feel emotionally. There's a lot of laughter that is shared, wisdom about life & running, and fun to boot! And on top of that I've got the Nike Women's Half Marathon in mid-October to stay ready for! :)
So off I go to get changed & ready for night one of my re-newed commitment!
<3
Monday, August 23, 2010
A Break
I took a break...a break from blogging, a modest break from Facebook, a modest break from my email... and I have to say; I need to take more breaks!
It's almost frightening how "attached" I am to my iPhone, email, & Facebook. My dear friend Heather had surgery on Thursday, so I helped care for her over the weekend. I was almost envious of how she couldn't do anything (though I know she would tell me not to be!) but rest & relax and take her time. I wasn't listening too much - so I started my Saturday off with a 5:30am 8-mile run with my girlfriends (training for the Nike Women's Half Marathon!), followed by coffee with my friend Kathryn & Zumba following that. I was exhausted after all that - and proceeded to take a 2 hour nap at home.
Sunday even felt like a lot - and I didn't do much. I think I'm in need of some serious R&R.... Not sure it'll show up until about December when we make our annual trip to see family in Hawaii. So for the time being, I'll try & soak up those moments as often as I can.
<3
p.s. football started...I'm trying to kick the whole "football widow" notion to the curb, and be thankful & proud of my wonderful husband, who is playing a vital role in some kids' lives. proud of him & his commitment!
It's almost frightening how "attached" I am to my iPhone, email, & Facebook. My dear friend Heather had surgery on Thursday, so I helped care for her over the weekend. I was almost envious of how she couldn't do anything (though I know she would tell me not to be!) but rest & relax and take her time. I wasn't listening too much - so I started my Saturday off with a 5:30am 8-mile run with my girlfriends (training for the Nike Women's Half Marathon!), followed by coffee with my friend Kathryn & Zumba following that. I was exhausted after all that - and proceeded to take a 2 hour nap at home.
Sunday even felt like a lot - and I didn't do much. I think I'm in need of some serious R&R.... Not sure it'll show up until about December when we make our annual trip to see family in Hawaii. So for the time being, I'll try & soak up those moments as often as I can.
<3
p.s. football started...I'm trying to kick the whole "football widow" notion to the curb, and be thankful & proud of my wonderful husband, who is playing a vital role in some kids' lives. proud of him & his commitment!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Who am I supposed to be???
I feel lame that a lot of my recent posts have had a sort of melancholy tone to then lately. I'm catching myself feeling down lately a lot more -- comparing who I am to who I think I "should" be; comparing myself to this notion that I'm supposed to be like other people - creative, "cool," chic, crafty, etc. I feel like I'm comparing myself to everyone around me.
It's a suffocating feeling to say the least - one that is just now bringing tears to my eyes. I'm almost 25 and feel like I don't have a handle on just anything... Why does it feel like I'm always behind the curve - grasping at straws to be a part of whatever is going on around me.
That's about it.... just feeling down in the dumps.... Not sure where to go or what to do except fight back the tears & the lump in my throat right now
<3
It's a suffocating feeling to say the least - one that is just now bringing tears to my eyes. I'm almost 25 and feel like I don't have a handle on just anything... Why does it feel like I'm always behind the curve - grasping at straws to be a part of whatever is going on around me.
That's about it.... just feeling down in the dumps.... Not sure where to go or what to do except fight back the tears & the lump in my throat right now
<3
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Excitement!
A dear friend of mine owns a bridal shop here in town - and the last two years I've been able to help her at the local bridal shows. It is so fun & I love working with her!
In planning my own wedding I found a real love & appreciation for all things wedding. I love how couples incorporate little pieces of who they are in & thru their wedding; from invitations to song choice to even food & favors; and everything in between! It is such a fun process, and yes there are stressful moments that every girl experiences - but with a reminder every once in a while of the big picture it can be a great time.
So here in lies my excitement -- as I said I love working with my dear friend Angie. She's asked me to start working at the store come this November. I'm still working for my mom full time - so I'll really only be at the shop on Saturdays. But Angie has plans for some possible growth where I could play a part as well. I am just so excited! Isaac thinks that wedding planning is my calling...but we'll see. Maybe this is a step in that direction.
I just struggle with not working with my mom - yes there's a piece of fear of the unknown if I didn't. But also the fact that this is an incredibly challenging time in the R/E market, and I could in no way see leaving my mom on her own... It just would not be right. My mom has done so much for me and I feel like at this season in my life I owe it to her to do my best and serve her in this way. So I'm proud of myself for being upfront about this with Angie.
But I'm still soooo excited! Even working the front desk at the store is exciting to me! Yahoo!! (Plus...the small extra side money won't hurt either!)
Can't wait!!
<3
In planning my own wedding I found a real love & appreciation for all things wedding. I love how couples incorporate little pieces of who they are in & thru their wedding; from invitations to song choice to even food & favors; and everything in between! It is such a fun process, and yes there are stressful moments that every girl experiences - but with a reminder every once in a while of the big picture it can be a great time.
So here in lies my excitement -- as I said I love working with my dear friend Angie. She's asked me to start working at the store come this November. I'm still working for my mom full time - so I'll really only be at the shop on Saturdays. But Angie has plans for some possible growth where I could play a part as well. I am just so excited! Isaac thinks that wedding planning is my calling...but we'll see. Maybe this is a step in that direction.
I just struggle with not working with my mom - yes there's a piece of fear of the unknown if I didn't. But also the fact that this is an incredibly challenging time in the R/E market, and I could in no way see leaving my mom on her own... It just would not be right. My mom has done so much for me and I feel like at this season in my life I owe it to her to do my best and serve her in this way. So I'm proud of myself for being upfront about this with Angie.
But I'm still soooo excited! Even working the front desk at the store is exciting to me! Yahoo!! (Plus...the small extra side money won't hurt either!)
Can't wait!!
<3
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Silly Expectations & Pressures...
For some reason I have just been battling this feeling and internal expectation of myself that I need to be something outrageously spectacular all the time, a not really different "different" individual - with incredibly "good" taste & creativity, a wife who has it all together all the time & knows how to cook & sew & cleans like I own a company. I know logically, this is silliness. There is no gauge I'm being measured against. Simply battling my own self doubt... Ever felt that? It is such a crummy feeling, like you'll never escape it. Almost like you're being pushed down on your shoulders with no chance to wiggle out of it.
We've been reading thru Psalms in our small group the last couple weeks and its been great. Granted Psalms is kind of challenging to really get in to - I think because it is so different from how we live our life now, how we approach the Creator & give Him praise. That said...I took Psalm 51 to talk about last night, and it was really good. Pretty eye opening for me. It's actually one of David's psalms - written after he was confronted by Nathan regarding his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. David seems so broken and desolate in the first 9 or so verses... Recognizing just how awful he is on his own... And then right after that jumps to recognizing the power of God, His ability to turn his head from the impurities in our life, and that he wants to change his ways so that he can speak of the forgiveness of God to other "transgressors." I haven't quite put my finger on what touched me so significantly yet...but I'm praying it bubbles to the surface. Maybe it's tied to me recent feelings?
On another note this weekend was spent celebrating my dear cousin Erick's wedding. It was really a sweet ceremony - very Erick & Mary. They got married in the backyard of my Uncle Wayne's home. It's the home where my mom & her sisters (Erick's mom) grew up, where Auntie Lynn & Uncle Wayne got married, and now where we all gather when any where near Puyallup. My Auntie Lynn passed away over 10 years ago, and so it was very sentimental to have everyone together in that place to watch my cousin get married. And I witnessed one of the most selfless acts of kindness I had in a while.
My Uncle Wayne re-married a wonderful woman named Sandy - she is so sweet & kind. After they got married, she moved into that home where my cousins grew up so as not to disrupt the rest of their high school years. And she opened up the home again for Erick & Mary to get married - she organized everything, cleaned, cooked, you name it - she did it. When it came time for the ceremony, she didn't come sit with us -- rather she left the chair next to my Uncle Wayne empty, in remembrance of my Aunt Lynn. Even thinking about it now makes me tear up. How kind of her to be aware of that, to sacrifice sitting with her husband & our family (even though it wasn't necessary) to honor my Aunt & Erick's mother. She is so kind.
Back to running tonight...
<3
We've been reading thru Psalms in our small group the last couple weeks and its been great. Granted Psalms is kind of challenging to really get in to - I think because it is so different from how we live our life now, how we approach the Creator & give Him praise. That said...I took Psalm 51 to talk about last night, and it was really good. Pretty eye opening for me. It's actually one of David's psalms - written after he was confronted by Nathan regarding his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. David seems so broken and desolate in the first 9 or so verses... Recognizing just how awful he is on his own... And then right after that jumps to recognizing the power of God, His ability to turn his head from the impurities in our life, and that he wants to change his ways so that he can speak of the forgiveness of God to other "transgressors." I haven't quite put my finger on what touched me so significantly yet...but I'm praying it bubbles to the surface. Maybe it's tied to me recent feelings?
On another note this weekend was spent celebrating my dear cousin Erick's wedding. It was really a sweet ceremony - very Erick & Mary. They got married in the backyard of my Uncle Wayne's home. It's the home where my mom & her sisters (Erick's mom) grew up, where Auntie Lynn & Uncle Wayne got married, and now where we all gather when any where near Puyallup. My Auntie Lynn passed away over 10 years ago, and so it was very sentimental to have everyone together in that place to watch my cousin get married. And I witnessed one of the most selfless acts of kindness I had in a while.
My Uncle Wayne re-married a wonderful woman named Sandy - she is so sweet & kind. After they got married, she moved into that home where my cousins grew up so as not to disrupt the rest of their high school years. And she opened up the home again for Erick & Mary to get married - she organized everything, cleaned, cooked, you name it - she did it. When it came time for the ceremony, she didn't come sit with us -- rather she left the chair next to my Uncle Wayne empty, in remembrance of my Aunt Lynn. Even thinking about it now makes me tear up. How kind of her to be aware of that, to sacrifice sitting with her husband & our family (even though it wasn't necessary) to honor my Aunt & Erick's mother. She is so kind.
Back to running tonight...
<3
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Where I Want to Be...
<3
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Card Games
Well like I said...last week Isaac & I were taught how to play pinochle & we love it! What a fun game!
So yesterday we got a deck of Hanafuda cards from Isaac's grandmother. It's a Japanese card game - and Grandma Chiko wants to have a big tournament this Christmas when everyone is home visiting. So my next card game adventure will be to learn how to play Hanafuda... We'll see how this goes. Isaac & I are pretty competitive... so we're hoping for big wins this Christmas!
So yesterday we got a deck of Hanafuda cards from Isaac's grandmother. It's a Japanese card game - and Grandma Chiko wants to have a big tournament this Christmas when everyone is home visiting. So my next card game adventure will be to learn how to play Hanafuda... We'll see how this goes. Isaac & I are pretty competitive... so we're hoping for big wins this Christmas!
'Hope I can pick this game up quickly!!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Friendships, Fun, & Dancing
That is what the majority of my weekend consisted of.
Spent Friday night with some great friends (an old YL kid of mine -- who's now becoming a great friend) & she & her boyfriend taught us Parkers how to play pinochle! Let me tell you! That is one confusing game when you first start, but it sure is fun! I wish I had my camera with me to show you the scores...at one point Morgan and I went from 900 some points down to minus 20! Sheesh! We had so much fun we didn't leave until 1am!
Saturday was so fun & filled with friends & laughter. The day really began at a BBQ thrown by the weighs teacher from the school my husband teaches at. A bunch of other teachers & coaches gathered for some great food, good drinks, and lots of laughter. It was really fun - probably the most fun staff BBQ I've been to with Isaac. Then it was quickly off to meet up with another coach & his wife, along with another couple who's kids are on Isaac's football team at the local Bite & Brew festival downtown. It was so much fun too! A Neil Diamond cover band (named Super Diamond...check them out! So fun!) was playing & everyone was dancing & having a great time. The night was going so well - that our whole group headed off to the local country & western bar for some dancing. Hilarity ensued while I sat with the two other ladies cracking up at the antics of the other girls at this bar...who were obviously overly intoxicated... But everyone danced & had a great time.
I hadn't had that type of weekend in such a long time... It was so nice to be with friends, relaxing, enjoying life. I love the summer...everything is so much more fun!
<3
Spent Friday night with some great friends (an old YL kid of mine -- who's now becoming a great friend) & she & her boyfriend taught us Parkers how to play pinochle! Let me tell you! That is one confusing game when you first start, but it sure is fun! I wish I had my camera with me to show you the scores...at one point Morgan and I went from 900 some points down to minus 20! Sheesh! We had so much fun we didn't leave until 1am!
Saturday was so fun & filled with friends & laughter. The day really began at a BBQ thrown by the weighs teacher from the school my husband teaches at. A bunch of other teachers & coaches gathered for some great food, good drinks, and lots of laughter. It was really fun - probably the most fun staff BBQ I've been to with Isaac. Then it was quickly off to meet up with another coach & his wife, along with another couple who's kids are on Isaac's football team at the local Bite & Brew festival downtown. It was so much fun too! A Neil Diamond cover band (named Super Diamond...check them out! So fun!) was playing & everyone was dancing & having a great time. The night was going so well - that our whole group headed off to the local country & western bar for some dancing. Hilarity ensued while I sat with the two other ladies cracking up at the antics of the other girls at this bar...who were obviously overly intoxicated... But everyone danced & had a great time.
I hadn't had that type of weekend in such a long time... It was so nice to be with friends, relaxing, enjoying life. I love the summer...everything is so much more fun!
<3
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