God's Gifts

I had a good weekend. Yesterday was Jeff's bachelor party, so he was gone all day. Pretty long day, but he said he had a good time paintballing and then going downtown.

I enjoyed Saturday. I was able to run some errands, go for a run outside (it's been pretty dreary here lately, but when I went out, it was warm but not hot and not very humid, which was great.

Yesterday was also my friend Kirstie's birthday, so we went out for a girls night to celebrate. Elyse and I drove down together, and met up with Kirstie and another Trinity grad, Rachel, then headed to Howl At the Moon, which is a piano bar. I've only been there twice, but it's a really fun place. The performers are so talented - they trade instruments throughout the night as the band grows - and they play mostly favorites, so you're able to sing along and just have a good time. It gets pricey quickly, so it's not something I would want to do all the time, but I've really enjoyed both times I've gone. It was also nice to get out and see some friends for a while.

Today was also a good day. Jeff stopped over during the morning, and we had breakfast together. I got another run in. I've been trying to get back into my pre-move routine, when running was starting to be easy, and I actually felt decently fit. It sure is easier to get out of shape than back in :).

We went to the evening service in Palos, then went for a walk. It's been getting chilly here. It feels much more like October than late-August to me. I hear Seattle has nice weather, though, so hopefully that will stick around and we will have pleasant wedding weather.

The title of this post comes from the quote below. I think that stopping to notice the small gifts that God provides in our lives (a tasty breakfast, a walk in the evening, sunny days) really helps me realize how blessed I am. This is also a good way to prepare for another week of work.

"God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame." Elizabeth Barrett Browning

All You Need is Love

3 weeks left. 21 days. Phew. Deep breath. Craziness.

I'm really happy it's Friday. It was time for a break and a weekend was in order for sure.

My date tonight? Going to two hardware stores, getting supplies, and painting. I know, pretty out of control, huh?

This post title's quote comes from Charles M. Schulz. It wasn't as sappy as it first appeared.
"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."

Mmm...chocolate.

The Fairway of Life

Well, I made it to two posts in two days. I didn't want to post. More than that, though, I didn't want this project to fall by the wayside one day/post in. I need to follow through more, and that involves taking one small step at a time.

I think I've become a half-glass empty person. I think I used to be more optimistic. I feel that here would be a good place to try to improve/reverse that situation.
Good things:
- I got a couple compliments at work today. After telling the client that I joined Wolf not quite a year ago, and interned before that, but am otherwise fairly new, they commented that this audit has been pretty good and that I seem knowledgeable and not new. I couldn't help but smile; many days I feel like I don't know anything. Second, the manager was out today, and I've heard he can be picky, but I didn't get many review notes, and those that he left seemed okay.
- I ran two miles again today.
- The neighborhood I live in is fairly symmetrical, has sidewalks on both sides of the street, and the distance between roads is even and makes for easy calculations on runs.
- I got a free 'scoopie' scoop of German Chocolate Fudge frozen custard from Culver's.
- It felt normal to leave the library in the evening, walking to the parking lot with a bit of a drizzle.
- Tomorrow is Friday.
- I get to hear some good music and see some good friends on Saturday.
- I have a date tomorrow night.
- My walls are becoming colorful.

That's a pretty good start.

I cannot figure out why the number on the scale is increasing. I am eating better (I think) and running again. Time to run harder/farther. Or eat less. Hmm.

This post's title comes from a quote by Ben Hogan (I think he may have been a lefty):
"As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round."

Take it to heart these next few weeks, self.

Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast

I am one of those people who will start their blog by stating, "I've thought of writing a blog for a while now..." Which is true for me as well. In thinking of starting, though, I decided that the best way to begin would be to do simply that: begin. My writing could certainly use some improvement. College included business professors who wanted bullet points, and my current writing includes many sentences that begin with a dash, "Auditor," or "Examined," and end with "pfa." I feel that one way the writing can improve is by the mere act of writing, and thinking about writing a blog just won't cut it.

I'll give it my best shot, though, and am going to focus on at least posting semi-regularly, even if I feel I don't have too much to say.

Life is pretty busy lately. I'm getting married in 23 days. Actually, that was the first time recently that I have thought of it in terms of days, and I scared myself a little bit. There are many small tasks at hand, but I think it will all work out.

I moved 25 days ago. There aren't too many boxes left to unpack. 4 walls are painted. I could use another lamp. This also will come along in time.

I have 2 1/2 weeks of work to complete and then I have 3 weeks off. That's enough to brighten me just about any time.

That's a pretty basic gist of what's going on for now.

Oh, and the title of this post? It's from Alice in Wonderland.
"Alice laughed: "There's no use trying," she said; "one can't believe impossible things.""I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

I think I would accomplis more if I tried to follow the Queen's advice more often.