Garage Sale Dates

The weather held out for the hubs and I to partake in our garage sale date! ((You can check out the plans for that here)). We got a late start to the morning. It was our first day to sleep late in quite some time, so we took advantage of it. Plus, it was supposed to rain in the morning then wane off. So, with the dog placed in the basement, we were able to sleep in. 

Once getting up we ate and got going. We hit the "hot spots" and there was NOTHING. And I mean nothing. So, not to be discouraged we widened our route. And lo and behold we found some sales! Our limit was $30 combined ($15 a piece). In total, we spent $21.

Here's an overview of what we got. 

More on how the whole "date thing" went later.

Spring has Sprung!

About a few months too early. It's February and the sun is shining, it's near 70*, and I've got the windows open to air out the house. It's lovely feeling the cool breeze through the window. The smell of the fresh air is welcomed in this winterized house. I love it. 

We'll see if it lasts though. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow in Pennsylvania, predicting six more weeks of winter. But Georgia's own General Beauregard Lee contradicts Phil. He didn't see his shadow and so is it going to be an early spring? Well if things keep on like today there certainly will be. I'm not complaining. I love spring. However this weather is giving me definite spring fever. And spring fever for me means I've got the urge to craft and decorate and change things around. Most importantly it makes me want to nest. 

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The Date Talk

So let's face it...I'm awful at dating. I only had one other boyfriend before I met hubs and that was in high school and doesn't really count. When hubs and I met we didn't really date, we just hung out. Of course we went to dinner together and stuff but because we were poor cautious with our money we didn't do many "fancy date" things. I mean, our first "date" was 6 hours at Waffle House (yes, we spent 6 hours straight at Waffle House just talking and getting to know each other). Also, since we were just going to Waffle House, I'm pretty sure I just wore jeans and a sweatshirt. It was a cold February day in college, what else was I going to wear? At least I didn't pull out the rain boots.

I mean the first time we met, it was outside in front of a cigar bar and I had just finished working out and I hadn't felt like showering didn't have time to shower before going out with the best friend. The next time the same best friend and I were trying to change a tire (for all those wondering, yes I can change a tire on my own - I had done it previously - this was just a ploy to see him again, and the lug nuts were on too tight for little me to get them off). So I was not looking good then as well.

See the pattern? I don't remember the first time I actually dressed up for him. Sad I know. But I wasn't into the whole dressing up for guys thing. I was more of a "you get what you get and you don't pitch a fit" kind of girl. If they didn't like me how I was naturally then that was their loss. Luckily hubs was pretty smitten ;)

Anyway, this whole dating thing. We didn't really do it. We just did life together, because that's what felt right. So to actually go out on a date is weird. And I find myself being, what I feel like, an awkward dater. Is that weird? I mean, I know my husband. It shouldn't be awkward dating him. Right? Then there are all these expectations that I have.Which isn't right. I shouldn't have these expectations, which are typically unrealistic. So I find find myself awkwardly trying to date my husband and it just doesn't feel right. In fact, it feels almost forced.

Now let me clarify that I'm talking about those anticipated fancy date nights. We go out to eat and do kinda date night then, but it's more like doing life rather than a date. My goal for this year is to actually date my husband. It's something that I know I need to get better at. It's difficult because we don't have a night off together except for the weekends because he works two jobs, so dating gets pretty tough. Throw in my awkwardness and my unrealistic expectations and things just have a snowball effect. But this will get better. I'm going to work on it and trust that dating can be fun and not at all stressful. Right?

So first date planned...Garage sale-ing this weekend. It's something hubs and I enjoy doing (plus I don't have to get dressed up for this one). Each of us will get a set amount of money to spend, and we'll see what all we can find without going over budget. I'm excited to see what we can come up with!

Anyone out there have any advice for this poor awkward dater? Or ideas of what would make a fun, economical date, rather than the traditional going out to dinner? I would really appreciate it!

Let me just end this whole thing by saying that I have a wonderful husband who doesn't care if I look good for a date (obviously), he just likes that he gets to be with me and that's what it's all about in the end. Spending time together having fun. That's what "dating" is in the end.

Also, check out this site I found on Pinterest! It has all kinds of dating ideas on it and relational advice! I'm excited to scour the contents of the site and see what I can find for hubs and I to do.

 

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First Yoga Class of twenty12

One of my goals of twenty12 was to start yoga and yesterday I stepped out of my comfort zone and took the leap.

The day started off with the hubs and I heading out for South Carolina to visit the grandparents and get his filling replaced. So we started on our journey around 7:30, got there are 9:30, hubs was in the chair by 9:45, finished with the filling around 10:00, ate lunch with the grandmother, aunt, brother, and his girlfriend around noon, and then headed on our way home around 2:00 with a pit-stop at Walmart. This put us at getting home right at 4:00, giving me 20 minutes to change and get to the yoga studio. I was supposed to have a friend meet me and go with me, which would have not been too much of a problem, but she got sick :( so I had to make a decision. I decided I would do this for me, and it was a hard decision.

I made it right on time. I wasn't even allowed to pay because it would make me late for the start of the class. It was packed. And I awkwardly walked into the classroom with my mat and towel and got ready. The only spot I could find. In the front. I was terrified! Now I've done yoga before, but it was 2 years ago during college, but nothing like this. Hot yoga. That's what they call it. It means the room is 106 degrees. Also known as hot. Sweat started pouring from me the instant I entered the room.

So the instructor jumped right into it and I had no choice but to follow. Remember, I got the spot in the front. We started off with standing positions, and I started off strong. I can do this. Right? Wrong. I have NEVER had my legs shake the way they did yesterday. I had no control over them! They wouldn't stop. I did my best to keep them still, but it completely through me off. I suppose it was good that my legs were shaking because it meant that I was pushing myself to my limit. I did have to drop to me knees a few times due to dizziness (the heat was getting to me), but I was able to recover and jump right back into it.

All in all it was wonderful and I can't wait until next week to go back and do it again. I plan on doing some basic things throughout the week (I downloaded a yoga app on my iPhone) to keep me going and semi-limber and to help my legs and body loosen up, because I can feel the workout. I love it. It means I've worked for something. It's a great feeling.

Due to the lack of time, I failed at taking pictures. Next week will be different. I will be the creeper blogger with the camera.

100th Day!

Today was the 100th day of school only 78 more to go! We celebrated all day long. It was fun to see what the kids brought in to represent 100 things. I think the top 2 were a hate with 100 random items glued to it and a milk jug turned hedgehog with 100 small pine cone things on top of it. Both were incredibly creative and the kids were so proud of their creations! Have I mentioned lately that I love my job? Working with K and 1 is the best. They are presh and they bring a smile to my face daily.

Just because I love my job so much though, doesn't mean I'm not super ready for the weekend! This was our first full week back in like a month and a half, so I'm thankful for the weekend break. This weekend brings a quick trip to SC to visit the dentist grandparents. Then yoga with the best friend. And church with the hubs. I'm so ready and excited! This weekend is going to be filled with fun and relaxation (I hope).

Do y'all have any fun plans for the weekend?

It's been a while

Things have been...blah lately. I blame it on this weather. It's been a dreary January. Unseasonably warm (today's high is in the upper 60s/70s) but still quite blah. I don't know what it is about this blah weather. All it does is make me want to take a nap. Of course I can't tell that it's blah outside during the day when I'm stuck in my closet of an office, so the blah doesn't hit until the drive home. Then the exhaustion catches up to me. Doubts start creeping into my mind. And all I want to do is either a) take a bath or b) take a nap. Not such a good thing for my house. I have convinced myself to do a few things around the house, but it usually takes a lot of convincing.

Then I saw this verse posted by a friend this morning and it hit me hard in the gut. It was the perfect word to wake up to this morning.

And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. 

1 Corinthians 7:17 the Message

It stands as an encouragement. No matter what, I'm where He wants me to be and I should be happy and seeking Him in this place. It's hard when things get so blah, but that's when I should be seeking Him the most. There's something out there that He wants me to see, but I have to seek after Him to find it. So in the blah-ness of this month and the wintry months following, I will seek after Him in all things and through seeking after Him I will find joy and peace and purpose.

Monday

This Monday was...difficult a relief to be done with. I don't know what it is about talking in front of people, but I always get clammy and nervous, and I freak out over every little detail. It's a little ridiculous. I mean, I did drama in high school and had no fear in getting up on stage, but something has clearly changed in my mentality that makes me really nervous when having to present in front of people. And today I didn't really do much talking, I just had to speak for a second. Still. I shook the whole time. I'm thankful that I don't have to speak in front of groups for a living. Or. If I speak in front of a group, they're all 7 and under. I can deal with that kind of speaking. Haha

So to get my mood off of this whole scary speaking thing this afternoon, I spent my morning listening to Disney music. There's nothing like the Little Mermaid, the Lion King, Aladdin, or Beauty and the Beast to brighten up your morning and make your day 10x better.

My favorite song from the Lion King would have to be Be Prepared. I love this song. No idea why, I just do.

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My favorite songs from the Little Mermaid would have to be Part of Your World and Under the Sea. This is my all-time favorite movie. All-time. Not just Disney. I love this movie.

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My favorite song from Aladdin would have to be Prince Ali.I just love the lyrics, and it wouldn't be the same without Robin Williams singing it.

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My favorite song from the Beauty and the Beast would have to be Gaston. Fun fact: if I were to ever be in the play Beauty and the Beast (a funny thought after I just confessed my stage fright) I would love to play LeFou.

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