But For Now It's Between Green And Grey...

PROJECT 365: Day 1

And so it begins... I have started Project 365. The reason I picked this date is because it marks the day my parents told me they were moving. Just knowing how much has changed in the year since then, I thought it would be interesting to see how the next year will pan out. What better way then by taking a picture everyday? ;)

Today has been so ridiculous. I fell asleep with my phone charging last night. I woke up to the phone being turned off. "Strange..." I think and I try to turn it on. It won't. Awesome. So I went to my Weight Watchers meeting. I lost 2.4 pounds, bringing me to 3.8 total!!! I'm hoping to earn my first 5 pound sticker at the next meeting!

After the meeting, I ran to the AT&T store to see what I could do. Well, the girl told me it might be the battery. Well, I didn't want to buy anything without talking to Phil first so I raced home to call on our home phone before he clocked in at work. Got the green light from him, packed a lunch and headed to the other AT&T store in town. I'm there for over an hour before being told I'm not authorized to do anything with the account and I would have to pay $50 for a new battery or I could get a Go Phone and use that until an upgrade is available, November 20th. Ugh! Well, I was SUPPOSED to do something with Annette before I went to the church, but I didn't have her number memorized so I couldn't get ahold of her before I had to be at church to help with the church directory. According to Twitter, she was quite upset with me. Even though I know what happened, I don't blame her for being upset. I would have felt the exact same way if I were in her position.

Like I said, I was at church the rest of the afternoon helping out. Then Phil came to the church and we settled things at AT&T. I am NOW authorized to do whatever with our account and I have a phone for now, hence the picture!

Now Phil and I are waiting on our pizza for dinner and we'll probably watch the first Indiana Jones movie. I've never seen it before so I hope I like it!

Here are the runners up for the picture of the day...
This was what I was in charge of for the directory. Checking people in, ushering them around, etc. I'm glad Leslee was around to talk to. It would have been very boring to do alone :)

I just thought Petey was very precious in this. I wish my day was more like this!



This is actually a picture of my injury from the other day. I got cut by a can of pineapple. This is what it looks like a few days later. I'm finally able to bend it without it hurting!


This is actually from last night before we left to see "Little Shop of Horrors" at the theater. I just thought we looked good ;D

I hope y'all had a better day than I did!

Peace to you,


"Green and Grey" by Nickel Creek

It's Ordinary, Plain And Simple...

Well, it's that time of year folks. The time where I pay $100 to drive around 15 minutes to find a parking spot clear across campus, pay over $200 to rent school books for the 3 classes I am taking and to feel really old when all the members of the class of 2013 have awkward cell phone conversations you get to over hear in the hallway. That's right... it's the glory known as "College Classes Start Up Again". Ahh... to be young and lucky enough to have the opportunity for higher education.... or so I'm told.

I won't lie, I was a little nervous about one of my courses since I am retaking it after dropping it last semester. However, I was pleasantly surprised and I am now very confident that this semester will go smoothly. Only 32 more credit hours before that degree is mine! I look forward to that moment more than anything right now. Mostly so I can finally be done and get a job! I do love the job I have now, but I've always liked working over school so I may always feel this way.

Anyrant, I lost 1.4 pounds last week on Weight Watchers! It's not much, but it's a start :) Besides, doing it slow and the right way was the point of joining in the first place. If I learn how to treat my body properly, hopefully I will not have to get to this point in my weight again! Like I said, I'm proud of myself :) Plus, last night Phil and I bought a bike! We were walking around Wal-Mart since there was nothing else to do last night when we ended up in the bike section. Well, I caught a glimpse of one that I just really really loved! It's not pink either! So we took it out of the rack, I sat on it to make sure it wasn't too tall for me and turns out it was only $84! One thing lead to another and I got myself a bike. I wanted to take a picture, but our camera wasn't working. It won't even turn on! It would figure 3 days before I start Project 365 our camera would break :-/

Anysquee, I'll get a picture somehow. Other than all this, I have just been working, doing youth group things and just enjoying my last days of summer. I finalized the youth schedule of events for the fall and I'm really excited about everything! I think the kids will be happy with what I have up my sleeve. Also, I get to send my surprise off tomorrow since Phil got paid today! YAY! I think I'm more excited about sending it then anything :D

Finally, I don't remember if I mentioned it last time or not, but Phil and I are transferring apartments in less than a month! Since we don't have overnight guests often enough to justify the rent, we are going from a 2 bedroom flat to a 1 bedroom 1 1/2 bathroom loft. I can't wait to take pictures! I already have some stuff to decorate it with and we're slowly organizing what we're taking, what we're storing and what we're throwing away. The problem with moving during the school semester is, if you're not super organized about it, you'll get super stressed out. Luckily I have recently become super organizing woman! lol Well, maybe not that organized, but enough to get us through yet another move.

I hope y'all are having a great week!

Peace to you,

"Everyday Love" by Rascal Flatts

Oh My Life Is Changing Everyday Day...

I've always loved that song :)

Well, since my last post much has happened. I was looking at my old photos on Facebook, (I know, I know), and I just got really depressed about my weight. You see, I've been exercising at least twice a week, not eating huge quantities and trying to cut back on the sweets. Well, I'm actually not losing any weight at all and in fact, I was flirting with 230 lbs while at my parents' house. I started to get in a mini-fight with Phil about it because I was at my wits-end about the whole ordeal. I don't know what else I could possibly do with the budget we have. Well, Phil suggested I call my mom for advice. Reluctantly I did so, but I'm very glad I did. We talked about some different reasons behind this, but my mom suggested I look into Weight Watchers. She had a friend that did it and lost over 100 pounds. My mom believes that having a support system and a weekly meeting where I weigh in and talk with women (and men depending) who are having the same struggles I am. So, Phil and I talked about it and I decided to go to a meeting Saturday and see if I liked it. I felt somewhat hopeful about it.

After this realization, I received a call from Jess asking if I wanted to go to a comedy night with her and Kim. Since it was free, I figured, why not! I got ready, ended up picking up our friend Claudia and drove across town to Jess' apartment. It ended up being this weird poetry thing before the comedian, (who was very sauced), in between loud music that vibrated the chair I was in. Do I need to mention it started almost 2 hours later than I was told? Yea... so by the time the comedian started, it was almost 1 am. Fantastic. Well, knowing I was going to Weight Watchers in the morning, I apologized to Jess and Claudia and left. I wasn't really enjoying myself and I was pretty exhausted. So I got home and was in bed by 2 am.

The next morning, I went to my 10 am meeting. My leader, Lisa, went ahead and signed me up for the program. She's really nice and she lost 100 pounds on Weight Watchers herself! I loved the meeting and everyone seems really kind and supportive of one another. After the meeting, 2 other women and myself stayed after for the new member orientation thing. I learned how many points I get to eat a day, how to use my points calculator, etc. I was very excited when the meeting was over. I even went home and threw out stuff I shouldn't eat while writing point values on all the other foods! HAHA Then when Phil got home, we went grocery shopping. Now, that is the most I've EVER spent on food, but it was worth it. I got all these fresh fruits and vegetables, some good snacks and some Skinny Cow ice cream bars! Yum! My first official day on Weight Watchers wasn't as successful as I hoped. Now, I did stay within my points, but I was invited to go to Taco Bueno with my youth after church and I didn't want to hurt their feelings. I ate a small bean burrito and split a small order of nachos with Phil. It left me kinda hungry, but it was ok. I didn't get to do a workout, but the youth group went to Celebration Station where I stood up a lot as well as played a round of mini-golf. I'm sure that doesn't really count, but oh well ;)

Now I'm at work. It's been one of those mornings for poor Phil and I hope his day gets better. Tonight is the church session meeting and I'm going to talk to them about an Internet Predator program a woman informed me about. I originally was going to just do it with the youth, but then a member reminded me that adults are also victims as well as our church having members with grandkids who use their computers. I'm sure the session will approve it, but I've forgotten about the last 2 meetings. I just hope I remember this time! lol

I'm thinking of doing Project 365. I have about 3 different friends doing this and I already usually post a picture with my entries on here anyways. If I do start it, it will be on August 22nd. That date is significant to me for personal reasons that I will not go into at this moment :)

Happy Monday to all!

Peace to you,

"Dreams" by Cranberries

I Don't Wanna Keep On Missing...The Color of the Night...

I'm back from my trip to see my folks :) It was so good to see them, even though I had to leave Phil behind. We did 1 big thing a day, (except Monday when I did 2 =P), and it was nice just to sit and relax with them. My mom seemed to have a good birthday and we had some good talks that were long over due. I love my parents so much and the first 200 miles are always the hardest. I had to drive fast all the way to Des Moines so I wouldn't give in to the urge to turn around again. It doesn't get much easier, but I definitely do not have as hard of a time as I used to. I get to see them again for Thanksgiving, but after that, I'm not quite sure when we can get together. I know it won't be a super long time since I know they miss me just as much :) This picture was of the sun setting in Oklahoma. I was about an hour away from home when "Let it Be" by the Beatles started to play. I looked out the window and immediately saw this gorgeous sight. So, of course, I had to take a picture ;) As my mom said, those Beatles knew what they were writing about.

Now I'm just working. School starts a week from Monday (WHAT?!?), so I have 1 last week of summer goodness before getting a brand new schedule. Phil and I were also looking into moving into a smaller apartment in our same complex, but that fell through for now. Our lease is up in October, but I was hoping to move before school started. So much for that one! At least if all else fails, we can renew our lease where we are.

Enjoy some pictures from my trip!

I made some rugelach for my mom's birthday breakfast! They were very yummy :)

My mom's birthday was July 31st, (same as Harry Potter lol). Happy Birthday Mama :D

This is my parents' new home. It's very nice and the weather was almost always this nice the whole trip. I even wore a light jacket on August 1st! That would never happen in Oklahoma ;)

I love my mama!

View from my upstairs bedroom

My dad took me around the lake on their canoe. The public dock is so close, we strapped some wheels on the canoe and walked! He obviously didn't know I was taking our picture HAHA

Yep, I'm a Daddy's girl ;)

I had near perfect driving weather both ways on my trip. Nothing better than mostly clear skies, coffee, some music and the opened road...

Happy Friday all!
Peace to you,

"Wasted" by Carrie Underwood

Lord, I've Been Long Time Gone...

Saw this and thought it was super cool. Feel free to do it as well :)
Instructions:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search (http://www.flickr.com/).
b. Using ONLY the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Mosaic Maker. Change rows to 3 and columns to 3 (http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php).
d. Save the image and post it!


Questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What is your favorite color?
4. Favorite drink?
5. Dream vacation?
6. Favorite hobby?
7. What you want to be when you grow up?
8. What do you love most in life?
9. One word to describe you?





Answers:
1) Courtney
2) Tiramisu Cheesecake
3) Pink, Yellow, Turquoise
4) Coca Cola
5) Spain
6) Music
7) Wedding Planner
8) Family
9) Sweet

1. Courtney Riot, 2. Tiramisu Cheesecake, 3. Bright Pink & Yellow with Blue Petals from Inside Kaleidoscope, 4. Coke Side of Life: Coca-Cola Art Remix, 5. El Alcazar Toledo Spain, 6. If music be the food of love..., 7. IMG_0971 (2) wedding coordinator with the sax, 8. My Family, 9. ♥ A Love so Sweet!! ♥

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Peace to you,

"Long Time Gone" by Dixie Chicks

Lucky To Be Coming Home Again...

Yesterday at work, I get a call from one of my youth. "Ms. Courtney! What's up?
"Not much, what's going on?"
"Well, we decided we wanted to go to Cici's for dinner tonight! Can we do that?"
"I don't see why not."
"You're coming right?"
"Sure, if I'm invited!"
"Duh! Wait, is hubby coming?" (they've decided Phil's nickname is hubby. Why? Not sure, but it's kinda funny and Phil doesn't mind =P)
"I don't think he'd appreciate it if I went without him"
"Sweet! Ok, I'll call everyone and let them know. You can drive a few of us to the church for VBS though, right?"
"Not a problem. See ya soon"

Impromptu dinners at Cici's + a retired man making free balloon animals, "swords", flowers, etc. + 6 youth = a surprisingly fantastic time :) Not to say I was worried I'd have a bad time, but I had more fun than I expected.

VBS is over and I'm glad to have my evenings back! In order to celebrate, Phil is taking me to a wine bistro and to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! I've never seen that musical all the way through, but Phil really likes it. I'm just happy to be doing something fun for once during the weekend! I mean, I'm taking the kids to Frontier City, but then I have to be liturgist at church Sunday morning so I'll be working on that as soon as I get home.

Still not sleeping really well, but I think I'm developing a sinus infection. This would explain a
lot of things :-/ At least I will be in Minnesota, celebrating my mom's birthday right about this time in exactly 1 week! I. can't. wait. :D

For some added humor/humiliation, apparently, this is what lack of sleep and having to blow-dry you hair at work looks like at 8 am on Friday morning...


I know... right?! LOL Don't worry honey, I promise to look better when you take me out in public later ;D

Happy Friday to all!

Peace to you,

"Lucky" by Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat

I Don't Have A Care That I Carry Alone...

It's been quite interesting the past few days. I've been pretty exhausted, but in a good way (for the most part).

My boss finally got back from his trip Tuesday so it's been nice having help in the office :) I don't mind actually earning my paycheck or being so busy when I have someone around if I have a question or need help with something. I think most of the customers are glad he's back too. Not to say they don't like and appreciate me. He just knows more and can answer their questions faster than I can.

I really wish there was a Christian book library. There are several books I'd LOVE to read, but I think I found 1 of them at the local library and the rest I would have to buy. Phil says you can suggest books for the library to get, but I doubt they'd buy them if I suggested it. Oh well...

The picture is in honor of our VBS this year! It's a Habitat for Humanity based program and it's been pretty successful! Several of the members of our church have been volunteers for Habitat for many many years and have graciously offered to talk to the children about it, share their experiences as well as their talents. We have had more kids this year than we have for the past couple of years, (between 15 and 20!), and they seem to really enjoy themselves. The youth group and I are in charge of the drama skits in the beginning and the recreation activities at the end. Even when they are complaining, I see how much fun the youth is having helping out. It's very rewarding to see God's light shine through them :) However, they get to go to Frontier City on Saturday which is always a nice reward for a job well done.

I've been missing my parents more and more lately. I even changed my Facebook picture to one from my wedding with just my parents and myself. I always seem to miss them more than usual when I'm about to go see them. I think it's partially my excitement to be with them. Either way, I'm definitely homesick. Halfway through the week...

Peace to you,

"One True God" by Mark Harris