Thursday, September 5, 2013
Blogtember: September 5
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Blogtember: September 4
 |
| Source |
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Blogtember: September 3
Tuesday, Sept. 3: Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.
How is it just the first prompt, and I'm already tired of this blogging challenge? I guess I'm tired of describing myself, who I am, where I came from, what shaped me, etc. Truth is, I've been in a rut for a little bit. It's not that anything bad is happening necessarily; it's just that I feel kind of just...there. Maybe it's just because I'm in a routine. Maybe it's work stuff. Maybe it's settling into married life. Maybe it's all of those things or none of those things. Who knows? The point is, I just don't feel like explaining yet again that I'm Amber from Tennessee and all of the other million little details. I love to write and blog, but I'm starting to feel kind of meh about this also. Hopefully the other prompts will inspire me a little more and help me shake this funk.
So, uh, yeah, welcome if you're reading this for the first time. I'll try to dial down the cranky a notch or twenty next time...
How is it just the first prompt, and I'm already tired of this blogging challenge? I guess I'm tired of describing myself, who I am, where I came from, what shaped me, etc. Truth is, I've been in a rut for a little bit. It's not that anything bad is happening necessarily; it's just that I feel kind of just...there. Maybe it's just because I'm in a routine. Maybe it's work stuff. Maybe it's settling into married life. Maybe it's all of those things or none of those things. Who knows? The point is, I just don't feel like explaining yet again that I'm Amber from Tennessee and all of the other million little details. I love to write and blog, but I'm starting to feel kind of meh about this also. Hopefully the other prompts will inspire me a little more and help me shake this funk.
So, uh, yeah, welcome if you're reading this for the first time. I'll try to dial down the cranky a notch or twenty next time...
Friday, August 16, 2013
30 During 30: Month 1 Update (July 17-August 16)
This month has flown by! I'm sure I'll say that every month though. Maybe that's just how it happens when you're 30! ;-)
I completed a goal already! I finished writing and sending the wedding thank you cards (goal 22) on August 11. 1 down, 29 to go, right?I've added the list to the left sidebar so I can mark out goals and put the completion date instead of having to update the original entry.
I have made some progress in a couple of others also. I've been doing research on goal 6 (learn how to really study the Bible), and I've been better about doing a daily devotional/bit of quiet time. We also went on a date night (goal 18) on July 28. It was technically more of a day date, but I'm counting it anyway! I've also started a posting schedule for one of my blogs (goal 25), worked on my online website and portfolio (goal 29), and sent off the application for the website design certificate courses (goal 30). Phew!
Over the next few weeks, I'm going to post how I'm breaking down some of these goals, such as memorizing the Bible verses, losing that pesky 40 pounds, and remixing my wardrobe. As weird as this sounds, I can't wait to dive into these goals!
Does anyone else have any goals they're working on, or any tips on how to break them down into more manageable steps?
I completed a goal already! I finished writing and sending the wedding thank you cards (goal 22) on August 11. 1 down, 29 to go, right?I've added the list to the left sidebar so I can mark out goals and put the completion date instead of having to update the original entry.
I have made some progress in a couple of others also. I've been doing research on goal 6 (learn how to really study the Bible), and I've been better about doing a daily devotional/bit of quiet time. We also went on a date night (goal 18) on July 28. It was technically more of a day date, but I'm counting it anyway! I've also started a posting schedule for one of my blogs (goal 25), worked on my online website and portfolio (goal 29), and sent off the application for the website design certificate courses (goal 30). Phew!
Over the next few weeks, I'm going to post how I'm breaking down some of these goals, such as memorizing the Bible verses, losing that pesky 40 pounds, and remixing my wardrobe. As weird as this sounds, I can't wait to dive into these goals!
Does anyone else have any goals they're working on, or any tips on how to break them down into more manageable steps?
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
30 during 30
As promised last year (sorry! Life and marriage and such got in the way), here is my hopefully not cliche 30 before 30 list, which has now turned into a 30 during 30 list since I hit the big 3-0 already! This is a list of 30 things that I would like to accomplish in the next year before I turn 31 years old.
The 30 During 30 List:
Spiritual Goals:
1. Memorize 30 Bible verses
2. Lead someone to Jesus
3. Volunteer to help at more church events
4. Get involved with another area of ministry at church
5. Become a consistent tither
6. Learn how to really study the Bible
Physical/Health Goals:
7. Lose 50 pounds
8. Run an entire 5K
9. Finish a half marathon in under 3 hours
10. Be able to do 30 consecutive real push ups
Beauty/Fashion Goals:
11. Learn to effectively put on eyeliner (seriously...I missed that day during girl school)
12. Learn how to remix every item of clothing into at least 3 different outfits
Financial Goals:
13. Finish Dave Ramsey Baby Step 1
14. Reduce debt by at least half
15. Save at least $4,000 towards a new (to us) car to replace Will's truck
16. Learn how to create and stick to an effective monthly household, zero based budget
Relationship Goals:
17. Celebrate 1 year of marriage (this is a slam dunk!)
18. Go on a real date night with Will at least once a month
19. Hang out with female friends at least once a month
20. Invite a female I'd like to become friends with to have coffee every couple of months
Organization/Domestic Goals:
21. Finish unpacking/putting stuff away/purging
22. Finish wedding thank you notes
23. Create an 8 week rotating meal plan
24. Stick to Flylady's plan so the house always looks presentable!
Writing Goals:
25. Post on my blogs more consistently by creating a posting schedule
26. Sell at least 4 pieces of writing
27. Finish NaNoWriMo in November
28. Finish writer website/online portfolio
Career Goals:
29. Finish librarian website/online portfolio
30. Work towards the completion of website design certification
The 30 During 30 List:
Spiritual Goals:
1. Memorize 30 Bible verses
2. Lead someone to Jesus
3. Volunteer to help at more church events
4. Get involved with another area of ministry at church
5. Become a consistent tither
6. Learn how to really study the Bible
Physical/Health Goals:
7. Lose 50 pounds
8. Run an entire 5K
9. Finish a half marathon in under 3 hours
10. Be able to do 30 consecutive real push ups
Beauty/Fashion Goals:
11. Learn to effectively put on eyeliner (seriously...I missed that day during girl school)
12. Learn how to remix every item of clothing into at least 3 different outfits
Financial Goals:
13. Finish Dave Ramsey Baby Step 1
14. Reduce debt by at least half
15. Save at least $4,000 towards a new (to us) car to replace Will's truck
16. Learn how to create and stick to an effective monthly household, zero based budget
Relationship Goals:
17. Celebrate 1 year of marriage (this is a slam dunk!)
18. Go on a real date night with Will at least once a month
19. Hang out with female friends at least once a month
20. Invite a female I'd like to become friends with to have coffee every couple of months
Organization/Domestic Goals:
21. Finish unpacking/putting stuff away/purging
22. Finish wedding thank you notes
23. Create an 8 week rotating meal plan
24. Stick to Flylady's plan so the house always looks presentable!
Writing Goals:
25. Post on my blogs more consistently by creating a posting schedule
26. Sell at least 4 pieces of writing
27. Finish NaNoWriMo in November
28. Finish writer website/online portfolio
Career Goals:
29. Finish librarian website/online portfolio
30. Work towards the completion of website design certification
There you have it! I've really thought about these goals to make sure they are "SMART" (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Bound). I think that will help me be a lot more successful than I've been in the past with vague goals. As always, I plan to come back and update as I complete goals or make progress in others. Does anyone else have any before or during 30 goals?
Monday, June 17, 2013
A Review of The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby by Erin MacPherson
I'll start this out by reiterating this in bold, italicized, underlined print.
I am not pregnant.
Okay, now that my husband is relieved and my grandma is disappointed, I can continue.
I chose this book because although I'm not expecting a baby right now, we do plan to have children within the next 3ish years, so I thought it would be interesting to read it and save it for when that time comes. After reading it, interesting is definitely not the first word that comes to mind. Instead, I now think of pregnancy and giving birth as terrifying. Kidding, kidding of course (but only somewhat). MacPherson does a wonderful job of breaking down symptoms that most women will experience during each trimester of their pregnancies, but she doesn't sugar coat anything, which is great and horrifying all at once!
MacPherson is an expert on pregnancies, having had three children herself. Her straightforward, humorous, friendly tone is reassuring and comforting, especially when conveying information that may make pregnant women (or future pregnant women) wonder why they ever decided to make such a life changing decision. She also sprinkles "Time Out for Mom" sections throughout the book that allow women to stop and reflect upon the miraculous journey that they are on through Scripture and prayer. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is planning to become pregnant or is currently pregnant and wants the inside scoop on what their body is going through!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I am not pregnant.
Okay, now that my husband is relieved and my grandma is disappointed, I can continue.
I chose this book because although I'm not expecting a baby right now, we do plan to have children within the next 3ish years, so I thought it would be interesting to read it and save it for when that time comes. After reading it, interesting is definitely not the first word that comes to mind. Instead, I now think of pregnancy and giving birth as terrifying. Kidding, kidding of course (but only somewhat). MacPherson does a wonderful job of breaking down symptoms that most women will experience during each trimester of their pregnancies, but she doesn't sugar coat anything, which is great and horrifying all at once!
MacPherson is an expert on pregnancies, having had three children herself. Her straightforward, humorous, friendly tone is reassuring and comforting, especially when conveying information that may make pregnant women (or future pregnant women) wonder why they ever decided to make such a life changing decision. She also sprinkles "Time Out for Mom" sections throughout the book that allow women to stop and reflect upon the miraculous journey that they are on through Scripture and prayer. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is planning to become pregnant or is currently pregnant and wants the inside scoop on what their body is going through!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Friday, May 31, 2013
Blog Every Day in May: May 31
Today's prompt: A vivid memory
Oh goodness. I tend to vividly remember lots of things (and completely disregard others). Hmm, since I've talked about my husband/wedding quite a bit this month, let's shift gears and talk about another family member: my little brother.
My brother and I are 8 years apart. I remember asking my mom for a brother, sister, or puppy. She chose a brother. ;-) He was born in September. On the day he was born, my aunt picked me up from school, and we went to Sonic. I think I had a chocolate malt. I also think I punched my straw through the styrofoam cup, but that could've been another time. We went to the hospital next, and a lot of my family members were in the delivery room waiting. I very vividly remember my mom yelling my dad's name at one point. Now that I'm getting close to that point in life where we will have children, that partscares me a little terrifies the crap out of me!
I don't remember when I saw him for the first time or holding him or even when he came home, but I remember the things leading up to it. I guess that Sonic drink was more memorable than my brother! Ha!
Oh goodness. I tend to vividly remember lots of things (and completely disregard others). Hmm, since I've talked about my husband/wedding quite a bit this month, let's shift gears and talk about another family member: my little brother.
My brother and I are 8 years apart. I remember asking my mom for a brother, sister, or puppy. She chose a brother. ;-) He was born in September. On the day he was born, my aunt picked me up from school, and we went to Sonic. I think I had a chocolate malt. I also think I punched my straw through the styrofoam cup, but that could've been another time. We went to the hospital next, and a lot of my family members were in the delivery room waiting. I very vividly remember my mom yelling my dad's name at one point. Now that I'm getting close to that point in life where we will have children, that part
I don't remember when I saw him for the first time or holding him or even when he came home, but I remember the things leading up to it. I guess that Sonic drink was more memorable than my brother! Ha!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)