you can't suppress all cravings

Grilled Cheese with Pear 21/30, originally uploaded by ex.libris.

Saw this on the kitchn this morning and could not help myself at all. I went to the Corner Bakery as soon as I was out of class and ordered a club panini and baked potato soup. I spent two hours there, just eating and filling out sudoku puzzles. It was really great. I wish I had finished some of the studying and homework that I need to get done tonight but alas, I was not that bright. I have the time. I just don't have the will to actually do it!


Gems:
perfect scores
fulfilled cravings
peace and quiet
the Ellen dance
final 2B1 hw

the breakfast of champions

today's breakfast, originally uploaded by cannelle-vanille.

I wrote out an entire blog and the browser crashed before I could post it. Bummer. So, quick recap: I'm jealous of this photo because I want to be able to make creme brulee, I want to be able to photograph this well, and I wish I had breakfast feasts as delectable as this one!! Ha!

I had an amazing Veteran's Day!
No class today, only one tomorrow, and the last day of class for my special education class on thursday. Pretty sweet line-up.

Much love to you all!


Gems:
sleeping SO long
french dip
discount
home movies
dancing with my baby

love is in the air... embrace it!

Jon and Amy, originally uploaded by Tracie Taylor Photography.

This stage of life is so crazy... A quarter of your friends single, half of them dating or engaged, and another quarter already married. To me at least, winter is the most romantic season, so make the most of it. If you have a significant someone in your life, make two dates... one that you choose the activities and one that they can choose. You could curl up to a good movie, go ice skating, or read a book together. Those might be silly suggestions to some of you, but that's why YOU'RE planning it and not me.

If you're feeling bogged down by the lovey-dovey romance or just want time away from boys, plan a girls' night (I speak for the womens because I am one... boys, figure it out yourself!). Give plenty of notice to have a better chance of getting those girls there and wear your comfiest pajamas and goofiest slippers. This kind of night calls for silly board games, hot chocolate, and girl talk around munchies at 1am. Whatever you do, make sure you delegate the responsibilities if it ever gets to be too much leading up to it (especially if it's a girls' night), so you aren't consumed by the loose ends and holes in your plan as the night is happening.

For those that take my advice and choose to have a girls' night, don't forget to invite me!! If given enough time, I surely will be able to make it. It's almost finals season, so do keep that in mind as well... all you graduates. :P

[p.s. love love love this shirt]

Gems:
Pita Pit
hammocks
sister
budgeting
texts

looking at pretty, grey skies

Seattle Rain, originally uploaded by sfophoto.

I love this time of year. It is so relaxing and comforting. I wish I could just curl up inside near a fireplace with Greg and a movie. It would make for the perfect night. We should be getting Pushing Daisies on netflix soon. I have wanted to see that for a while now, so I'm excited!

Here's to FIVE more weeks of undergrad!!


Gems:
sleeping in
rain
27 Dresses
pasta
relaxing

hey world, we're ready for you

Saving together is easier, originally uploaded by Mint Software.

Finished our finance class today and I learned a ton! If I don't figure out how to set up a budgeting plan using Quicken (which we got at our class), then I am going to go to the second level class that will be offered soon. Otherwise, I have little to worry about now... I just have to form some healthy money planning.


Gems:
credit
money
Quicken
organizing
time with Candace

my computer was jacked

oh hai, love., originally uploaded by rocketequalslove.

... for the night.




Gems:
kids
craig's gigs
finance
good credit
dancing

getting excited about life

Chris & Jessica, originally uploaded by Auzigog.

Had to write out my life events for the To Become One class that Greg and I are taking. It made me realize just how much of my big life events have happened really recently. A lot of my events happened between the ages of 18 to 22 and it only excites me more about my future. If the major events of my life can grow so rapidly from childhood to now, I can't imagine the things God has in store for the coming years!!

Here's to the future... and all the good and bad it may bring!!


Gems:
sleeping in (even though I shouldn't have)
final days of Sped
getting homework done just in time
time for lunch
brightening the day of a teacher

my emotions just won't stop

Couple in the rain (Remaster 2), originally uploaded by orangeacid.

I'm tired. My emotions are draining me. First confusion over the election, then the lameness of school. I really look forward to tonight. The plan is to just relax at home with Greg. I need it right about now. I stress out way too easily. God bless.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. [James 1:2-4]

Why are prayers not all answered instantly?
Why don't we always experience the BLESSINGS
that are promised in the Bible IMMEDIATELY?

If all results were instant, we could never walk in faith.
Without faith, we could never please God. [Hebrews 11:6]

If you always reaped the harvest of your deeds immediately,
the incentive to do right and refrain from wrongdoing
would only be selfish.
No faith, or love for God, would be required.

During delays we have opportunity to demonstrate
whether we really love God and trust Him, or not.

A delay is a test. Without testing, there could be no reward.
God does not test us so that we can fail, but so that we can overcome.
He believes we will make it with His help.

We desire an instant manifestation of victory.
God's desire is for us to press into Him and His Word
and walk in faith until we see victory.

To overcome there must be opposition and struggle.
God cannot always shield us from problems
without taking away from us the privilege of overcoming.

Victory is sweet. What makes it sweet is that it is not easy.

If we really trust God, time is not a problem. Leave that with God.
His timing is perfect and He is dependable!
We know He promised, and can never fail -- and that is enough.

My response: I WILL PERSEVERE IN FAITH
because the Bible says I will NOT end up lacking!

*
*
*

[p.s. I love this cowl & want something like it!!]

Gems:
free Starbucks
late nights
Greg
crying it out
God's perfect plan

rod says, "not voting sucks"

Not Voting Sucks, originally uploaded by mauralyn.

I don't want to vote until I'm more informed, because the research that I've done thus far is really insufficient for the choices that need to be made! Going to lunch now, then math class, and to the voting stands if I feel better about my decisions. Wish me luck!

-- UPDATE: I voted right after lunch. Yay! --


Gems:
getting sleep
RAIN
peach tea
finishing my paper
VOTING!

we're a couple of characters

The Winning Couple, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

In an attempt to feel a bit better about the day, I will again reflect on Halloween events. I found the photos taken at the party and did a little editing, which resulted in this perfect photo (Snow White and black and white Kevin). We had a great time dressing up and I felt pretty bad that Greg was unable to do the grey make-up (do to the last minute announcement that the contest was in only 3 minutes), so I decided that he should be able to remember the costume as it was intended. He looks great!

Anyways, I'm off to get food for Greg, then it's back to work on my 6-page paper for my Special Education class. I have yet to suffer through any difficult paper... I just need to get this dang stuff DONE!!


Gems:
getting to sleep in
scraping for points
paying off money
hammock fun
reminiscing

you like the birthday diptych?

The Diptych, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

I painted two parts of a whole painting for my parents' birthdays. I gave my dad his painting in September and had to wait for Halloween to see them together. It was really great and I look forward to my next project. I don't know what it will be but I'm sure it will be great!

Decided to bring Lily into my room to watch Nemo. She has been watching it non-stop and I'm sure her parents are sick of it. She hasn't looked away yet!


Gems:
perfect sermon
Frippleville
mom's party
lasagna
movie time

new month, new opportunities

jump, originally uploaded by maneeacc.

I am eager for graduation and terrified still. I know I have written it before, but it really frustrates me and I'm pretty sure it's draining me! I wish I could just be done with it and at the same time, I don't think I'm ready for it to be. God, please give me the peace of mind that I need to get through the rest of the semester!!


Gems:
comfort
leftovers
home depot
movies
rest

we make up a winning team

Snow White - Dream Along with Mickey, originally uploaded by wallyspam.

Greg and I competed at the Halloween swing dancing event tonight and we WON!! Greg was saying last week that he's never been on a winning team before and now he has! I'm stoked and God is amazing. We competed well, we won, and now we have the money to take the finance class that we wanted to take but couldn't afford! God is so great!!


Gems:
halloween
my mom's birthday
naptime x 2
dressing as a princess
God's blessings

yeehaw and ride 'em cowpokes

Wild West, originally uploaded by Monica Kirkham.

Greg and I dressed in our western attire for tonight, then went to dinner and class like that. It was quite silly, ESPECIALLY because I barely wore the costume at the actual event. It was too hard to dance in, but it got us in for a cheaper price. Heh. Tomorrow is Halloween... Meeting my mom in the morning. Better get to sleep!


Gems:
sudoku puzzles
rain drops
understanding us
dressing up
matching costumes

tonight: first of many costumes

catwoman, originally uploaded by monsters.monsters.

Going dancing tonight. I am going as a kitty cat. Don't quite know if I'm looking forward to it just yet, but I know that I'll love it as soon as I am there. If you're going to Strutter's tonight, I'll see you there!!


Gems:
rest
sudoku
Einstein's Bagels
doing laundry
dancing

ever feel down-right artistic?

imitation is..., originally uploaded by Creature Comforts.

I just love it when I catch the bug. It was more than forced today, but it feels so good to accomplish the idea I had in mind! I can't wait until friday... It will be grand!


Gems:
last-minute problem solving
talking with the teacher
lunch relaxation
PAINTING
Harry

an excitement like none other

Bright, Fresh and Fun :), originally uploaded by islandgirlsj.

If you've ever seen the episode just before Monica and Chandler's wedding, you may remember watching Monica run out, declare that she's getting married today, trip, and fall to the floor. I was watching that episode today and thinking about the fact that I'd love to see someone act like that on their wedding day! Then I realized... that's going to be me. As much as I may try to take it slow and be calm, I'm going to look like I'm on speed and thus become even more of a klutz! Oh well... I'll just embrace it.



Gems:
knowing science
playing hooky
finding decorations
old jazz records
prophesied future

i am going a pumpkin hunting

Pumpkins!!, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

I had a wonderful time with the boyfriend today. He took me out to breakfast and then the pumpkin patch. It was great! There were so many amazing things there. We went to a real farm, so they were selling preserves and fruits and other great foods!! I was ecstatic just walking around, checking out the place, and there are several pictures up on my flickr, if you're interested in checking it out!


Gems:
sympathy
breakfast date
iced bumps
PUMPKINS!!
no stress day

don't bother me... i am busy

50-inch Flat Screen, originally uploaded by Pioneer Great Britain.

Watched tv all day.
It rocked!


Gems:
talking to Lauren
television
dinner with Greg
video games
no stressful driving

graduation party on its way!

graduation party in the fridge, originally uploaded by 【Jaz Q6r】.

To be honest, I have been pretty nervous about graduating and the uncertainty of all I would do once I finish. Well, I got the news that I was accepted into the credential program yesterday and today, I found out that I'm in the accelerated credential program. I will be working my butt off during credentials so I can get finished by the end of the summer.

More news: I went to the dermatologist today and found out that I have a cyst on my neck, so I was prescribed new medication and if that doesn't work, I am a candidate for Acutain. I obviously do not have to do it, since there are MAJOR risks, but this might be what I need to be done with it! If I do it, my skin will be completely dry and my muscles will aches on a regular basis, but after 4 to 5 months it's done. Many people only need one treatment and for those who don't they might have two, but that is less common.

Lots of news and lots to decide!


Gems:
driving Gregory
confirmation
acceptance
time with Lily
time to take a nap