The Year of The Great Accomplishment, Followed by Disappointments, & Finally Redemption

The Great Accomplishment
After struggling through college math courses, financial aid, and scholarship applications, I completed college in May! My mom cried, I cried, and the proud look in Trey’s eyes made me feel like we had both graduated and earned that degree.

The Disappointments
So, with a degree in one hand and the world of opportunities in the other, I was sure I’d find a job immediately. Five or six rejections later, I learned more about myself than I could’ve imagined.

Redemption
While searching for a job I started working for this production company. Four months later, I still enjoy it and enjoy the company of my co-workers. So with that being mentioned, I’ve set aside looking for another job and feel this employment may have an opportunity to afford itself.

In other highlights:

Trey and I
Trey has been amazing this entire year. Back in April I would lock myself in the guest room and study through the night. Not once, did he make me feel bad for it. He was also extremely understandable when I went a month without working. In general, Trey and I have been blessed this year. We’ve found a church home, we joined the praised and worship band, we took a financial peace class, we’ve been able to make new friends, and we’ve been pretty healthy.

Friends
This year has been somewhat of a repeat of senior year in high school. Linda my best gal pal was with me then and she came to my rescue on several occasions this year. We were both going through the same decisions and opportunities and found great comfort in talking to each other.

Daphne and Bruiser
Since I moved back from LA I’ve been able to walk the dogs at least once a week. Bruiser and Daphne also made friends with Sam, the boxer, from across the street. Trey and I love Daphne and Bruiser and thank God for their health.

Farwell, 2006 and I guess 2007 can only be better.

Selling Cool Stuff We Don't Need

Trey and I are selling stuff we don't need anymore.

Jasmine Acoustic Guitar for $40


55 Gallon Fish Aquarium for $150 (minus the cowboys sticker. the sticker can easily be peeled off)


PSP for $180


Jeep Mountain Bike for $50 (this is a steal)


Tomorrow I'll insert more pictures. Let me know if you're interested....

Gingerbread Kid

Over the holidays Amy and I were talking about Trey and I one day having kids. She told me we would have ginger kids, like that episode of South Park. It's the episode where Cartman labels all red-heads as gingers. I couldn't stop laughing and told Amy we'd have to name "it" Ginger. Yeah right.

Early Christmas Breakfast

For some insane reason, I offered to cook breakfast for some of my family. I woke up early and of course they arrived late. Once everyone was here we had waffles, pancakes, biscuits and gravy. Yummy. After breakfast we opened gifts.

I’m not really big on gifts, but Trey did get me something thoughtful. Yep, he got me a Dallas Cowboys jersey. Sounds like something he’d ask for. The jersey is a kiddie size so it fits better than most jerseys.


Here are some pictures that I would like to share with you.

Trey and I posing in front of tree. Oh, I'm dreading taking this tree down.


We took this picture yesterday at Amy's party.

Christmas Came Early

Christmas came early for our four legged babies.

Daphne got a sweater (I know I'm that kinda of dog owner. I can't help it).


And Brusier got a festive doggie bone.


Well, Christmas is almost over and to think it hasn't even started.

My Hair Can Always Grow Back

A man in our praise and worship band is growing his hair out. When someone asked him why, he told them because he was donating it to a cancer patient...and that got me thinking.

I did my research and I too have decided to grow my hair out. I think I'm going to donate my hair to Locks of Love. L of L is a non-profit that makes wigs out of hair donations and then turns around and gives them to children who have cancer. It will probably take me a year to get my hair long enough, but my hair grows fast.

Things To Do Before We’re 25

A few weeks ago I was going through an old journal and found this list. I remember writing it with Trey over 4 years ago. So the list goes something like this.

1. Married
2. Have a jeep (Trey)
3. Have a VW (Dom)
4. College education
5. Trey making --- (like I would really post that)
6. Mutual Funds
7. ------ in savings
8. Fish Aquarium (this is so random)
9. Live in big city
10. Place Dom wants to go- Hollywood
11. Dom wants to become a good cook

What a strange list. Trey and I obviously have changed some of our priorities. We’ve learned it’s not how much you make, what you drive, or if you have that big aquarium, but the things that do matter are an education, family and a good meal every once in a while.

P.S. We do have a huge aquarium that is empty sitting in the corner of our room. Any offers?

The Date, The Weekend, & The Week Ahead

Let’s start with the date-
The record still stands. Trey didn’t cook for me, instead I cooked and we watched a special on the NFL network about the Cowboys QB, Tony Romo. Wow, that’s what I call a good time! Football on a Friday night what else can a girl ask for? It’s alright, luckily for my husband I’m not high maintenance. In all truth, I actually enjoyed myself.

Now moving on to the rest of the weekend-
Every Christmas work party I’ve attended has been boring. So, with that being said, I expected a dull night. So, the party was at Miller Ranch and began at noon and ended the next morning. To my suprise the party was so much fun! It was definitely one of the best parties I’ve ever attended. Trey and I spent the night and we managed to snatch a secluded room while some people had to sleep in an open area on bunks (suckers). It was nice meeting everyone that Trey works with. Now I can put a face with the name.

Finally the week to come-
Well, I’m actually still recovering from the weekend. Sunday my little sister and I went out to the ABC bike trail and rode 8 plus miles. My butt is sore and I know Natasha is probably in pain because she doesn’t usually ride. Anyways, I guess this subject line more or less relates to the weekend. Umm, the week ahead looks good. And I know I’m going to have to get gifts together, start baking, and figure out what we're doing on Christmas day.

Is it a date if you stay home?

I've been thinking and I think married people need to go out on date's too.

Trey owes me big and he has never-never-never cooked me dinner and my one request for our date night is that he cooks for me. I know, I'm too demanding.

Well, we're staying in tomorrow and I hope it goes well.

High School Humanities Journal

Back in high school I kept a humanities journal and my teacher would respond. I found the journal the other day and thought I should post this.

Please excuse the sloppy writing. I was going for the Kerouac method. You should click the image to enlarge it.



When I first read this quote I thought I wrote it and was feeling atiquite (did I spell that right?) and then I read that I was not the author. Despite the questionable authorship, I still love this quote.

Snooze It

What's wrong with me? I should've gone to church this morning.

But it's so hard to get out of bed when it's cold outside and the sheets are sooooo warm.

5th Job Rejection, But Its Not Like I'm Counting

In an earlier post, I failed to include a fourth job rejection and today I can add one more to the growing list.

Before the rejection bothered me tremendously, but now I have a different attitude. I can't help but think of Matt Redmen's song, "Blessed Be Your Name."

"Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord Blessed be your name"

O Christmas Tree

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for Christmas.

This weekend Trey and I dressed the Christmas tree. I love having the tree up, especially in the living room because it's so inviting. But we really need to buy a skirt for the tree because right now we're using a towel so the stand won't scratch the floor.

Family, Food, & Football

It's over. Wow, this hosting Thanksgiving is hard work. Well, I'm glad to announce the turkey not only looked beautiful, but it was delicious. Not too dry and not too moist, but just right.

Here are a few pictures I managed to snap before 28 people stormed my house.

Like I mentioned, Thanksgiving is all about family, food, and football. Trey seems to think it's all football. As you can see my husband is ready and waiting on the couch for the game (wearing ofcourse Cowboy get-up).


Mom's to the rescue


This pie was a big hit


Angelica was ready to eat and couldn't help, but to dig in.


Look at that golden brown turkey. This was my first attempt to EVER make one.

Bright and Early

I've been up since 4 am working on the turkey! Right now I'm just killing time because every hour I have to butter the bird up. The day should be filled with 3 "F's": family, food, and football. Yesterday, Natasha and I did some serious baking.

So, this year I'm thankful for so much. I'm especially thankful for my family and my church family.

I better go because I need to do some work around the house.

Here's the supreme cheesecake
Here's Tasha displaying her proud veggie tray.

When I get around to it I'll post more pictures. Don't you love pictures? I do!

Much Needed Walk

So, I'm dealing with my third job rejection of the year. Yesterday, Amanda called and wanted to go for a walk and boy did I need it. I walked and in between the silence I thought about where my life is going and where I would like it to go. I always try to remain optimistic through everything. This year has been trying, but I do have so much to be thankful for.

On a more positive note, yesterday I had a job interview and we'll see what happens with that. I'm still working part-time at my other job which I absolutely enjoy, but I didn't go to school to be a part-timer.

Financial Peace

Trey and I have been attending a financial peace class at our church. You might know it. It's the Dave Ramsey video class. We've learned so much and it's been so helpful, especially since we're a young married couple.

The objective is about getting and staying out of debt....paying off all existing debt, paying off the home early, and finally investing. I think the biggest thing I've learned about myself is this money thing is primarily self-disciple.

Hands Down, But Not When You're Driving

You know those days when you get in the car and you feel like turning up the radio and singing to your favorite song as loud as you can? Well, earlier today I had to drive out of town to record a legal deposition. On my way home I was thinking of my junior year of high school and popped in a familiar tune of Dashboard. I reached over and cranked-up the radio and screamed the lyrics at the top of my lungs:

"Hands down this is the best day I can ever remember,
I'll always remember the sound of the stereo,
the dim of the soft lights,
the scent of your hair that you twirled in your fingers
and the time on the clock when we realized it's so late
and this walk that we shared together.
The streets were wet
and the gate was locked so I jumped it,
and I let you in.
And you stood at your door with your hands on my waist
and you kissed me like you meant it.
And I knew that you meant it,
that you meant it"

I'm so glad nobody was driving near my vehicle. I'm sure I looked like a mad women. But you know, it felt so good singing. It was great. I strongly recommend it.

Not a typical Sunday

Sunday's are typically relaxing with not much to do except go to church and come home. Trey normally sits on the couch from noon until night watching hours of football and I clean, but yesterday was different.

My mom called me and said Amy and I are on our way over to talk about Thanksgiving. I wasn't expecting any company, but I said sure. I received that call at 1 pm and by 4 pm we had a full house of people. It was nice seeing everyone and just hanging out. I don't know if I've mentioned this, but I'm making the turkey for Thanksgiving. I'm nervous, because the bird is the main dish....yikes! My mother-in-law is making the ham just in case.

Friends From LA

I received an e-mail from one of my old roommates and I really miss all of them. It'll be a year in December since I last saw them.
My roommates: Mary, Danielle, Jennifer, and Me. Sarah Bohl took the picture.
Last year when we had some rare-free time, we all went to the Santa Monica Pier.