Good Things Are Happening

So, I know I have been a terrible blogger, but with the new job, church activities, reading and more its been hard to find a minute to myself.

The new job is going great. I found out some bad news. The event planning place emailed me to let me know that they had filled the position with someone else. I couldn't believe that they lady actually emailed me. We had really developed a friendship in my interview and I had sent her a hand written thank you note, not to mention we had talked on the phone a couple of times since the interview. How Rude! Well, its her loss.

Its probably a good thing. This week I have really felt at peace at Central Bank. I know that is where God wants me to be right now. Everyone I work with is so nice, and my manager pulled me aside the other day to tell me he had seen something in me the day of the interview and that he knew I was interested in becoming a personal banker. Normally you have to wait up to six months but he said he would try and help move the process along..so that was exciting. Everything seems to be coming to me very easy. The only thing I need to work on is how fast I can count the money. I swear some of the girls that have been working there awhile are faster than the machines. Right now I am more focused on accuracy than speed. I am worn out from this week, but I only have one more day. Tomorrow wont be as fun as today because we have classroom training..blah! I loved working at the bank today! I am beyond tired though and I can't keep my eyes open any longer. I will definitely feel you in more on saturday!

Hope everyone's week has been as productive as mine!

Just Something Quick

Hey everyone. First, I just wanted to say thanks to all my new followers, and people that have left comments. I never thought anyone would want to read about my boring old life let alone comment. So, thanks again!

Second, I won't be able to blog as much now because I just started my first big girl job at the bank yesterday. The first day went well, and I think I will really like it. I haven't heard back from the Event Planning place yet, but I am confident that if they don't call then I know I am right where God wants me to be. Which is weird because I feel like the EP place was the perfect first job for me and my personality, but God knows us better than we know ourselves and sometimes its hard to remember that.

I started a new women's bible study on Esther yesterday. It is a Beth Moore Study. We watched a video from her and I had never heard her speak. She is great! Funny, entertaining, educated, well-spoken, has a deep passion for God, is beautiful inside and out, and really exemplifies what it is to be a Godly woman. I will talk more later about the specifics of what we learned because I think they are useful to all women, but I have to go finish getting ready and iron (uggh) my clothes. I love most household chores, but ironing is not one of them.

Talk to you soon.

Kristin

Playing Parent

This weekend my Aunt asked me to stay with her two boys over the weekend while she was in Nashville. I thought no big deal they are 17 and 13. I was really looking forward to spending some time with my cousins. The oldest and I used to be very close when we were younger. There was six years between us, but both of our parents divorced and we were more like brother and sister than cousins.

I have always wanted kids. I always joke I was born to breed because of how much I love kids. I love kids so much that I would rather babysit on a friday than go out. I sit and imagine what it will be like when I hold my own little one in my arms and rock it to sleep. Or what it will be like when I save the day and find my toddlers blankie. Or what it will be like to help my own child with their projects and homework. But I never sit and imagine what it will be like when they're teenagers. Its like in my mind they stop growing after 10.

When I agreed to stay with the boys I thought they are teenagers this will be a piece of cake, but what I realized last night is that raising a teenager is far from easy. Here is this being that you have loved and nurtured, and you want everything in the world for them, but everyone is human and at sometime in your childs life they are going to hurt you. Intentional or unintentional the hurt is still real. It could be something as little as not wanting you around anymore or shutting down and not talking to you like they used to when they are younger. Or it could be something bigger such as deception or disrespect.

I hope that with God's help I will be able to raise my kids to be good people, but there is still a possibility that they will rebel. I feel sorry for my aunt now. Her oldest has been having a lot of problems lately, and I know she must feel so hopeless. I'm not sure where my aunt's relationship with God is right now, but I know she doesn't beleive in organized religion, and doing this on her own has to be hard. I pray for my cousin all the time. I have talked about the mistakes I have made and the regrets I have, but him be a 17 year old male thinks he knows everything. I wish I could get him into church, and away from the crowd he hangs out with now. Church saved my life when I was his about age. If I hadn't gotten away from the crowd I was hanging out with at 15 who knows where I would have been at 17. He is so angry all the time, and I know he is depressed. His life is spiraling out of control, and I know deep down he probably wants to change. To feel happy again. To be able to look himself in the mirror and say you are worth more than this. But change is hard, and most people take the path to least resistance. I am evidence that change is possible. Not on your own, but with God. He is the key ingredient.

I want to take back control of his life for him since he can't handle it. I think drastic changes need to be made in his life. Take him out of the school he is in now, and put him in the school in his district. For us not to tolerate his disrespectful words and the tone he uses with not only me, but the mother who raised him. To force him to go to a counselor to work out whatever is making him self-destruct. But I am just an outsider looking in, and its easy for me to say what I would do in the situation, but its not my situation. So I keep quite about my feelings, and just pray that God will heal this family and bring my cousin to his breaking point so that he won't have to be told to change, he will want to change.

Trip Giveaway

So everyone, The Tales of a Southern Belle has posted the most generous give-away in blogger history.

It is a round trip cruise excursion for 2 for 4days/2 nights hotel accomodations are included. Excerpt from brochure: This vacation provides for a filled cruise for 2 adults along with the accomodations for 4 days and 3 nights on the Grand Bahamas Island. Choose your preferred travel dates, then let excitement of your vacation begin as you sail for the world famous playground of Freeport, on the Grand Bahamas Island. Once on board, you will experience all the elegance and adventure of an eight hour journey across the Atlantic Ocean, where an island paradise awaits your arrival. Relax and enjoy all of the splendor of your luxurious cruise, delicious gourmet meals or sun and fun on the spacious pool decks. There are many shipboard activities to enjoy, including parties, deck games, horse racing, first run movies and exotic Las Vegas style venues! Explore the duty free gift shops, relax in one of the ship's many lounges, dazzle them in the disco or try your luck in the casino! I think it is either this line or a similar one http://www.discoverycruiseline.com/ I will close the giveaway a week from today on Wednesday, February 25. The voucher expires May 19th. You will need to have the vacation completed by the 18th. Also, you have to call in advance to make the reservation. It says 45 days in advance.

General give away rules apply:

Leave comment on her page- entered once

Become a follower or are a follower entered twice

Post about give-away on your blog- entered three time!

Good Luck Everybody!

Lifegroup

Tonight I met the girls of my new lifegroup. Work kept me late, and there was a gas leak on harrodsburg road. I never thought I would get there! I had to walk in late which made me a little nervous, but the girls were so nice and welcoming. We did a few get-to-know each other games, ate dinner, learned about why Southland feels strongly about lifegroups and what their purpose is, and then worked out the details of when we would meet next which was not an easy task.

I was surprised at what a large group it is, but we finally settled on our first meeting being the first sunday in March. Some of us girls are going to get together Tuesday February 24th to see Brandon Heath (one of my favorite christian artists) play at Quest. I hope it works out that I can go. Since I don't know which job I am taking yet, it makes it hard to plan even a few days ahead without knowing my work schedule.

I accepted the job at Central Bank, but my heart is still hoping to get a call about the event planning job. I think I am going to call there tomorrow to see where they are in the interview process and if they have made a decision. I am hoping that by telling them that I have another offer they made speed up the process. Please say a prayer for me tonight.

I am going to get off here and read some more of my new book and watch the UK game. GO CATS!

Fun Purse Game

Dave and Brit Plus One has tagged me in a fun purse game!

1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today or the last time you left the house. No cheating!

2) I want to know how much it cost:) And this is not to judge. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it.

3) Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your bag.

Here is my Michael Kors black leather bag. I got it over the holidays. I was out shopping with my Mom and Grandma Dorothy and saw this on clearance for 30% off. It was still pricey, and I decided not to purchase it.

The next night my Mom surprised me at work with a couple of "early graduation" presents (my mom always gives a reason for the gifts so I don't object). The MK purse and French Connection coat I loved had gone on sale 50% off, and she had bought them for me. I'm lucky to have the best Mom in the world. This bag is so practical that I haven't switched out my daily purse since then, with the exception of using different clutches at night.

After you see whats inside my purse you will see why I need such a big bag lol :

Inside is the new book I picked up yesterday, Bounderies in Dating by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend, my prayer journal, monthly planner, Banana Republic glasses, travel size Estee Lauder Sensuous perfume, make up bag, anti-bacterial moisturizing lotion, and new red wallet (V-day present from Mom).

I tag:
Blog Blog Blog
Bring the Rain

Hope everyone is having a good week! I know I am. Yesterday my Dad and I hung out all day like we use to when I was a little girl, he always would say we were having a date = ). Yesterday we ate lunch at Ted's Montana Grill, then went to see Gran Torino, and then spent a couple of hours in Barnes and Noble (where I picked up my new book).

Happy Valentines Day

I have to admit that Valentines hasn't always been my favorite holiday. Of course I didn't mind it when I had someone to share it with haha. But when your single it's easy to fall into the stay-at-home-and-throw-yourself-a-pity-party routine. But this year was different.

Patience for Mr. Right during this holiday can be trying. But for the first time in awhile I'm comfortable with just being alone. It is a freeing feeling. I realized that this is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. I finally figured out that he is enough. I have a relationship that any of my friends should be jealous of. He provides me with unconditional love, listens, protects, makes me feel special, provides, and comforts. You think finishing each other sentences is something. My man knows what I am going to say before I even say it.

The following books are great for your understanding of what it is to be in a deeper relationship with christ, and will really help you to see the many roles christ can fill:

I had heard people before talk about this, and wondered if I would ever have it. Contentment is a very serious thing. It lays to rest your doubts and fears and a peace just washes over you. I know that everything is going to be just as it was meant to be.

So, single ladies I know its easy to retreat to your couch with kleenex and a tub of ben & jerry's, and feel that you are the only single person left out there, but get up and go out the next valentines and you will witness what I did.

Instead of staying home alone tonight I went to church and taught my boys as usual, and then went to a movie with my mom and step-dad. What I realized is that this holiday isn't just about the love between a man and a woman, but about love in general. I saw mothers and daughters together, sons with their family, girlfriends hanging out, young couples and old couples. And I thought we are so lucky that we are able to connect with each other in such a deep way.

The world tells us that to be happy we have to have a man or woman(in the case of guys), but each of us is lucky to be loved at all. So remember not to take for granted your friends and family who are there for you through good times and bad. There are many people out there who would give anything to feel a love like that. I realized that by whining about not having a boyfriend not only was I offending God, but my family and friends. Making them all feel that they were not enough. But they are and I am so blessed to have such great support standing behind me.

After the movie I took some time for myself and did my pilates. I am now going to go enjoy a hot cup of tea, and watch The Property shop on HGTV! Hope everyone's valentines were everything they dreamed!

Figuring Out How This Whole Thing Works

So, I just realized that on February 7, Serious Shopaholic , tagged me in this and I'm just now getting to it. So, here it goes.

So here's the fun:

Step 1: respond and rework—answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.

Step 2: tag—eight other un-tagged people.

Make a list of things you can see without getting up:
my tv, my closet, my rose petal lamp, my huge cheesy Vday card my dad gave me, pictures of all my family and friends, cows grazing in a pasture, my cheetah lamp, my ever-growing shoe collection, my full length mirror, my bed, my two dressers

Favorite Football team:
College: UK Pro: Cowboys

What are you wearing right now?
black yoga pants, j-crew long-sleeve black and white stripe fitted tee, Bebe rhinestone black baseball cap, VS panties, and my fave Ipex bra, fresh water pearl earrings, white gold cross, and diamond ring

What color is your bedroom?
top half is castillion (beige color) from Town and Ranch, wainscoting is white pearl by Coronatta (not sure how to spell hehe). Bedding is Symphony Pattern from the Rose Tree bedding collection (black and white floral pattern with hounds tooth pillow accents and red sheets) and cherry furniture

What was the last thing you finished reading or our currently reading?
The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs, and The Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

What was the last movie you saw?
Confessions of a Shopaholic

What is your current/latest obsession?
planning and organizing

What was the last thing you said aloud?
"I'm going to watch the game in my room" to my parents.

What websites do you always visit when you get online?
insightbb, gmail, blogger, facebook, ebay

What are you listening to right now?
I'm watching the UK basketball game..GO CATS..WE'RE IN THE LEAD!!

If you could have a superpower what would it be?
to heal people

What is your favorite weather and why?
Spring days because they're warm and breezy, and fall because I love the changing colors of leaves, especially in Gatlinburg.

What time do you usually get up?
for right now about 7 am..until I start my new job

What is your most challenging goal right now?
To lose 20 lbs by my birthday..but I have been sticking to my weight watchers and pilates so its looking good!

Say something to the person who tagged you:
I really enjoy her blog! Check it out if you haven't! I also admire her courage as a new wife and mother. I hope I can have it together like she does by the time I start a family.

If you could have a house totally paid for and fully furnished anywhere in the world where would it be?
Right here in Kentucky. I have always thought it would be fun to move away as a single twenty-something, but I hope to be able to return to the bluegrass to raise my family here so that my parents will be involved in the lives of my children.

Favorite Vacation Spot:
I love Chicago, the museums, the art, the shopping, the plays, but I would have to say Wilmington, N.C. I used to vacation there every summer when I was little.

What is your favorite children's book?
The Madeline books

Name one thing you can't resist no matter how bad it is for you?
Winchell's hot wings (if you are ever in Lexington, KY you must go to this mom and pop neighborhood restaurant..and if you like hot stuff their hot sauce is the hottest I have found this side of the south)

Favorite hair product:
Redken extreme shampoo and conditioner and Got2Be Smoothing Operator hairspray

What was the first tape or cd you ever bought yourself?
my first cd was TLC

If you could have any job in the world what would it be and why?
I always dreamed of being an actress. Hey, I still might be discovered, George Clooney was 35 years old when he was really discovered and he is from Maysville, KY which is where my family is from!

Adding this one:
What is something unusual you can do, that your friends may not even know about?
I can write with my toes. I know its a little weird, but my grandma taught me.

I'm tagging:

Blog Blog Blog
Dave and Brit Plus One
Its Raining Pearls
Sophie's World

Getting Older..

Recently I have been given a sneak peak into what it will be like to get older. I never knew that corn pads and arthritis cream would be in my 22-year old vocabulary, but this week I managed to learn about both!

I adore heels. I have several kinds. Open toe, wedge, stilettos (my fave), practical pumps, strappy heels, tall boots, platform, and pointy toes. I love them!

Last week I began to notice the side of my pinky toe hurting on my left foot. I didn't think much about it, and kept faithful to wearing heels. By sunday I was literally limping to church. After church I took off my shoe and looked down to see there was a huge knot on my pinky toe. I have had blisters before and this did not look like anything I had ever seen. I called Dr. Mom and she told me I probably had a corn. Gross!

The left-hand picture is a corn. Mine does not look that bad, but it still hurts.

Here is WebMD's definition:

Friction causes the thick, hardened, dead skin of corns and calluses, which form to protect sensitive skin. Appearing cone-shaped, corns point into the skin, and usually occur on areas that bear little weight. Calluses may appear anywhere there’s friction, and are more diffuse. Both may be caused by ill-fitting shoes and will fade when friction stops. Moleskin pads can help relieve a corn; calluses can be trimmed or surgically corrected.

So, we went to the drug store and got an over-the-counter treatment and some corn pads which would cushion the foot making it less sensitive to shoes.

Wednesday came and my foot was still not feeling better, and I was really stressed I may never be able to wear heels again so I went to the doctor. He told me that things like these take time to heal and that it looked like it was healing perfectly well.

Then, I told him how during my pilates exercise my knee had been feeling some discomfort. He said it was most likely the result of wear and tear from my many years as a varsity dancer and cheerleader. He then prescribed me arthritis cream for my knee. haha. That gave my parents a big laugh..since neither one of them have had to use it yet.

So, all in all its been a pretty eventful week. No news yet on the other job..keep me in your prayers.

Love So Amazing

God has blessed me with so much. The Bank offered me a full time job, and I had a great interview with another company on Monday.

On monday I interviewed with a company that does event planning. My actual title would be Education Specialist. I would get to travel to all sorts of fun cities doing what I love to do best, and that is working with people. Plus I would be working with some great people. I really got along well with the girl I interviewed with, and I know she would make a great mentor. She has it all. She is a wife, mother, and a business woman. On top of it all she is a christian! I really have my heart set on getting this job, but if it doesn't work out I will know its because God has something better planned for me.

Break down behind me, my life is back on track. I'm really excited about friday. I have a big group of girls going to see Confessions of a Shopaholic. Hopefully, that will take my mind off of the job!

It seems that making my list of desires and lifting them up to God has really worked. On my list, besides a job, was a lifegroup. After switching churches I was left without one. I had found other ways to connect at Southland in children's ministry, but really missed having a lifegroup. Its nice to be able to talk to people that are in the same place in their lives as you. To have accountability and encouragement of people trying to live their lives to glorify God. Especially now that I am ready to start the next chapter of my life with God, marriage, and family as my top priorities rather than what there is to do on a friday night.

Anyways, I got a call saying that a new women's lifegroup had just opened up. I will get to meet the girls tuesday at a mexican restaurant. I'm so excited. Not to mention I am starting the women's bible study Transforming Women the following week. It looks like God has answered my prayers in more ways than one.

I also got an invitation to be in the Lexington Young Professional Association and it sounds like it would be a great place to network and meet people. Our first event is March 6. So I guess we will see than.

On a sad note two of my friends have been dealing with some pretty heavy stuff lately. Neither one of them are very religious and I have had a hard time comforting them. If anyone knows some comforting words I would appreciate the help. Other than that if everyone could just pray. I can't include their real names so we will just call them Miss K. and Miss H. Thanks and God Bless.

Break Down

So many great things have been happening in my life. But me being the worry wort I am had a break down in the middle of the mall today. A little bit embarrasing I must say.

I have been sticking to my weight watchers this week, but jean shopping sent me over the edge. Its not like I had gone up in size. I guess I just figured oh I have been dieting a week I am probably already a size smaller lol. This thinking led me straight to disappointment, then anger, then tears.

I normally woudn't cry over something so trivial. It wasn't until we were back in the car that my mom, with much poking and prodding, got to the real problem. I realized that I was overwhelmed and putting too much pressure on myself.

I was settling back into my make life happen mode rather than my trust God's plan mode. I love making lists! I am an obsessive lister at times. The other day I made a list of the things I wanted in life. A clear picture of what each thing meant to me, and a rough timeline for when I wanted those things to happen. You know career, marriage, children, social circles, cars, houses, etc.

Today's break down helped me to realize something. Lists can help you define what you want and organize, but if your too eager to check off the list and you start trying to cross through things on your own before God says when..it all falls apart. Its okay to lift those things up to God, and tell him what you want for your life, but he ultimately knows best. I know this, so why is it so hard for me to do?

I realized I was treating my list as a to do list. Fellow planners and listers understand that feeling you get when you don't check something off your list. I try to say its ok I will get to it tomorrow, but instead I usually lie there awake in my bed either A) feeling guilty I didn't get it done B) obsessing about when I am going to find time to do it or c) making another mental list in my head in which I add the unfinished item. None of the options are good.

The guilt makes me feel as if I have failed. The obsessing causes me to feel on edge and anxious not able to sleep. And the mental listing leaves me feeling as if I will never get done. Its no wonder with all that boiling inside me that I had a break down.

My advice is talk to someone. Your family, your friends, people at church. That's what they are there for, and they don't want you lying in bed trying to save the world on your own. Believe me after spilling all my worries and fears to my mom I felt a lot better. I am lucky to have someone much wiser and worldly to help bring me back down to earth.

I have another interview Monday at a event planning place as an education specialist. I am so excited they called me on Friday. The job sounds fun getting to help plan events, traveling, meeting speakers. It all sounds right up my alley. Say a little prayer!

Kristin

One Day at a Time

Wow, I am so happy about the past few days. The Interview went well today. I have a second interview tomorrow. Wish me luck!

I feel like everything is falling into place. I will get my car back from the shop in a couple of weeks, and it looks like once again God has come through! I was sad that this weekend I missed church for the first time in a long time. I mean I was there Saturday night to teach my boys, but my parents didn't go this weekend, and my friend I was planning to go with to 608 wasn't feeling well. I have had an anxious feeling all week like I stood up God on our weekly date, but I just keep trying to remember that it isn't the place that brings me closer to him.

I also made a bit of a mistake this weekend, and I feel like I really let him and myself down. Tonight I'm going to sit down with my bible and spend some time in prayer and hopefully I will begin to feel his grace rain down. I love that line in a Chris Tomlin song that says, "you see the depths of my heart and you love me the same." It always brings tears to my eyes.

Every day I feel his forgiveness and healing more and more, and I feel so blessed that he gives me those moments. When chatting with him I call myself a WIP (which I first heard in a computer class) it means work in progress, and that is exactly what we as humans are. He is not finished with us yet. So, when you feel like you will never be perfect don't give up hope because he doesn't, and he won't. He will keep calling you back and extend to you his love and grace everytime. That is why he sent Jesus to us. To be in a relationship with us. And just like we feel the void when he isn't in our lives, he feels it to.

I only have a couple chapters left of Friday Night Knitting Club. So, I'm off to the tub, then to study the word!

I'm on Fire!

I woke up today in the best mood. I felt rejuvinated for my job search. I pulled out a file from college that had some contacts I had met at various career fairs, and began to email away. Then, I called my former employer Central Baptist, and left a message for their recruiter letting her know of my interest in coming back to work. Then, I remembered that the girl who had helped me open my savings account had given me a name of a lady who worked in HR, and I called her. What do you know, I have an interview!! It's a part time job, but has benefits. Say a little prayer for me!

I'm off to do my pilates DVD!

New Items Listed on Ebay

Ladies, I'm selling this bag for $100 on Ebay

Selling Phone, 2 cases, charger and car charger for just $75!

Log on to Ebay now before they are gone!

Gossip Girl Fashion

Forgot to mention in my last post how excited I was to see Leighton Meester in US magazine wearing the same French Connection coat I have!! I am a huge fan of Blair Waldorf and Gossip Girl so I was literally jumping up and down and telling everyone about having the same coat today as if I was still in junior high lol.

The Beginning to a New Me

The other day I was reading a fellow blogger's post about wanting to lose some weight. I am a consistent yo yo dieter. I have never been able to commit for longer than a couple of weeks, but reading that blog gave me some encouragement. And with bathing suit season and my birthday only a couple months away I decided I needed to start now to lose the weight I want.



So, tomorrow I start weight watchers! I hope that by journaling my progress I will stay motivated. Any excersise tips or low cal meal ideas would be much appreciated.



Height: 5"2
Starting Weight: 151 lbs.
Shirt Size: M-L
Bra Size: 36D
Pants Size: 8-10, 30-31
Dress Size: 8-12
Goal Weight: 135 lbs.
Pounds to lose: 16 lbs.



I was also thinking about using the acai herbal supplement. Anyone know if those actually work? I have heard a lot of celebs talking about them. Might be worth a shot!



I also am going to start back doing my pilates DVD 3 days a week. I did that for two weeks a couple months ago and lost 7 lbs just doing pilates, no dieting, plus looked very toned!

I found this DVD at Walmart for $10. I liked it because it included the pilates band.

I can't wait for warmer weather so I can start running in my neighborhood again!

The search continues for a full time job. Some days filling out applications can feel both tedious and hopeless.

At church this week I had to teach a lesson on hope to my second grade boys. I think I took more out of it then they did. Its funny how teaching often works that way.

The lesson was about God's plan for us, a plan for good and that even when we have trials or hard times in our lives he uses those problems for ultimate good.

Roman's 8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

Hope everyone has a great week!

Pics From Rascal Flatts Concert