I must admit. I have been struggling with my BLOG title. To the obsession point. Where I must surrender. LOL.
My mind will not turn off...all day thinking of... ideas, images, words, illustrations, phrases...AHH! It must end! I am going C-R-A-Z-Y.
When I have a passion for something (in this case) my BLOG, I give my ALL to it.
And sometimes you have to step away from it for a bit to... re-focus. Trying too hard in a situation like --creating a title for your BLOG-- will get you nowhere. Unfortunately, stuff like that is best when it comes natural. Grrr..
So...I am leaving my title ALONE (for now) maybe for good (i wish). Ha ha.
Therefore, as of...NOW!.. I am turning my focus to more important tasks at hand...and preparing for a GREAT weekend! I think I might just go put on my running shoes.
Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are fortress for the weak
Let faith arise
Let faith arise
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever
Be still, there is a river
That flows from Calvary's tree
A fountain for the thirsty
Pure grace that washes over me
Let faith arise
Let faith arise
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever
Let faith arise, let faith arise
Open my eyes, open my eyes
Let faith arise, let faith arise
Open my eyes, open my eyes
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever
And I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God
You are faithful, God, forever
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
[x2]
[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
There is nothing more beautiful than to witness God answer my prayers and work wonders in my life, right before my very eyes. We are taught to walk by FAITH and not by sight. The Lord does hear our prayers. He does hear our cries for help. God does listen, even when we give thanks and worship him. With trust and patience, his good WILL be done and WILL be seen.
THANK YOU JESUS for giving me strength.
THANK YOU JESUS for giving me a voice.
THANK YOU JESUS for weeding out the wrong people in my life and replacing them with the right. The ones that shine in your light and define me to be the woman I was destined to be.
THANK YOU JESUS for your everlasting love and continuing to light my path.
---Lyrics to one of my favorite christian worship songs:
"Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing. Power and majesty praise to the King. Mountains bow down and the seas will roar... at the sound of your name. I sing for joy at the work of your hand. Forever I'll love you, Forever I'll stand. Nothing compares to the promise I have in you."
I live in a one bedroom apartment with a small fenced back porch. One of my projects is to give my back porch its very own, one of a kind, make over! I love flowers, plants, gardening, picking weeds, getting dirty...ALL of it!
So... today I stopped in at this huge plant nursery down the street.
I was overwhelmed. Lol
They have every plant species God could have possibly created.
I browsed for a bit and chose a pretty Nerium oleander plant/flower. I bought 3. This is my start to my porch makeover. I'm having visions of painting, lattice, hanging baskets...oh I could go on and on. I will take a before pic of my drab porch and an after pic once the make over is complete...
...It is now 8 am, I am enjoying my coffee and watching VH 1's - "JUMP START". Wow. Beyonce's music video- "Countdown" is wild! She looks gorgeous but the video is a little crazy. Lol.
...Even though I did not get a full night of rest there is still something so peaceful and {beautiful} about the EARLY MORNING. Maybe it is the idea of a fresh start or it is the quiet & stillness. For me, it is a time to set the tone for the day, to start it off calmly without rush.
"In the hopes of reaching the moon, men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet." -Albert Schweitzer
Typical Monday over here! Mondays (for me atleast) tend to be a take care of business day.
Annie's Monday pass on tips:
#1. TO DO lists!!
And I'm not talking about a mental "what do I need to do" kind of thing. I'm talking about a literal piece of good ole notebook paper, hand written list, with a spot to put a check mark when completed. =) I find this works wonders for me. I make mine with 2 columns, NEEDS & TO DO. There is something very fulfilling when I place that check mark next to it. (with a red pen of course) The list also comes in handy when you quickly think of something. If I don't write it down, it can quickly be forgotten.
#2 Expectations are a GOOD thing!
Alot of times people hear the word, "expectation" and instantly feel pressure or scared. It does not have to be like that at all. Expectations hold a person accountable to succeed! (Another feel good when you check it off with your red pen)
This morning I worked on my to do list and made a {hand written} expectation calendar. It looks like a typical page out of a monthly wall calendar. On each day of the month I listed 3 things for me to check off:
1. Water
2. Vitamin
3. Exercise
My #1- Water. I have a cool water jug with this built in straw thingy that holds about a gallon of water. Ever since I bought this jug I am able to drink tons of water, easily!
Check out:
www.coolgearinc.com
My #2- Vitamin. This expectation is a recent supplement I purchased. It is called Vitex (Agnus-Castus) chasetree berry. It is an herb to promote female balance and health. Also it is cheap! $3.89 a bottle. I read a great article about it in a magazine and decided to try it!
Check out:
www.vitacost.com
My #3- Exercise. This expectation is pretty cut and dry. Get off my butt and move! Lol
My car needs {hopefully} a new battery and I do not get paid until Tuesday. So this makes for a lovely weekend of creative, cheap, non-vehicle needing activities. Yes. I know you are loaded with ideas. Lol. Funny how we appreciate the small things.
Ok I will share the car story since it is kind of funny. The other day my mom and I went out to run errands. I stopped at the bank and turned off the car for like 5 minutes only for it to not start again. I got a jump and {thankfully} it started. Praise God because the last thing I wanted was to pay for a tow. Well, my mom and I went home and I attempted to go out and start the car an hour later. It started. This sounds good right? Well... sort of. I am scared to drive it somewhere and turn it off, being that it might not start again. AND, being that I do not know the exact problem, rely that it will jump again. I dont play with fire people. Ok so I need to run to wal mart today for some items so here is the game plan:
My uncle will go with me and stay in the car (with it running, of course), while I make a mad dash into wal mart to grab a few things. Lol. We are rigging it baby!!
My head is spinning with allergies today but I am determined to not let it get the best of me! I spent all day in bed yesterday, sleeping off and on, with these darn allergies! Grrr...
My honey did come by after work yesterday with some tacos, so that cheered me up atleast. I told him I wouldn't be much company, but he still wanted to spend time with me. (awwwww...how sweet)
So...back to today. Slowly but surely, I am cleaning, organizing, and designing.
And working up a sweat I must add.
The TO DO list:
*Cleaned out everything under my bed. -check.
*Cleaned out my drawers. -check
*Did all the laundry. -check
-On another note...
My current FAVE from Bath & Body Works is...
Aromatherapy's- "stress relief" with a sweet vanilla scent. (very relaxing) I received the lotion, body wash, and sugar scrub. I must say the sugar scrub is to die for. I feel like I have been to a beauty spa after using it. Special thanks to Veronica for this spectacular gift.
Just took a relaxing bath and am now sipping some hot chamomile tea. I enjoy chamomile because it has a calming effect and also soothes the stomach.
Sorry, didn't notice you there
But then again you didn't notice me
So we'll remain passers by
Until the next time we speak
I hope that I can make you mine
'For another man steals your heart
And once your beauty is mine
I swear we will never be apart
Walks by me every day
Her and love are the same
The woman that's stolen my heart
And beauty is her name
I'm hoping I can make you mine
'For another man steals your heart
And once your beauty is mine
I swear we will never be apart
It didn't take much time to think about
But I didn't want to move too fast
Cuz I knew that when I saw you again
That I wouldn't wanna let you pass
Cuz my eyes have seen the glory
In the coming of your smile
So I swear if you ever come 'round again
Please stay for a while
Walks by me every day
Her and love are the same
The woman that's stolen my heart
And beauty is her name
I'm hoping I can make you mine
'For another man steals your heart
And once this beauty is mine
I swear that we'll never be apart
You are so beautiful
When I'm down and out
I never seem to get tired
Tired of your love
Cuz you are wonderful
You're wonderful
I'm just dying to make you see
Anything you want inside your heart
You can find right here inside of me
Walks by me every day
Her and love are the same
The woman that's stolen my heart
And beauty is her name
I'm hoping I can make you mine
'For another man steals your heart
And once this beauty is mine
I swear we will never be apart
Walks by me every day
Her and love are the same
The woman that's stolen my heart
And beauty is her name
I'm hoping I can make you mine
'For another man steals your heart
And once this beauty is mine
I swear we will never be apart
Walks by me every day
Her and love are the same
The woman that's stolen my heart
And beauty is her name
Ok.
The story behind this is that my man calls me "beauty". This is one of the reasons I put the word "beauty" in my blog title. Anyways, he came across this song and shared it with me. I love it. It has alot of meaning for our relationship and absolutely made my day. (being that I was not having a very good one) Thank you honey! More brownie points for you. XOXO Goodnight.
"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Wow. I just took probably an hour or so to organize my folders on my computer! It is so clean now. I love it. I previously had a general folder named "Annie blog stuff". However, it was getting pretty full and cluttered...so...I made many sub folders to branch off of that one. There are even sub folders off of the sub folders! Now everything has a home.
It is a little after midnight and I have a back ache and am ready to call it a night. ZZZzzzzz
I did have a great day doing projects around the house, cleaning, and organizing. I actually tackled my jewelry box (scary). I enjoyed the later afternoon with my boyfriend. I am almost 30, do we still say boyfriend/girlfriend?? I don't know? Lol. Anyways, he took me grocery shopping and hung out at home with me watching some football. I had a relaxed evening, exploring different editing programs and tools on the computer. I watched the 2nd episode of KENDRA and to be honest, it is kind of a boring start to this season so far. (Come on Kendra. I'm not giving up hope. Yet.)
Well...I do not feel like writing much tonight so I will just post some pics/artwork.
I will also take this time to thank God for the many blessings in my life and I pray he continues to guide me to an even brighter future. I give you the glory Jesus.
Well... HELLO October!! You are off to a great start!
A perfect example of {beau*ty} is....TODAY! Wow, Houston! This weather is amazing. Thank you Jesus. I have my doors open in my apartment, letting the cool, crisp air flow through. Talk about refreshing. It is funny how nice weather can put you in an instant good mood. =) I am especially happy for my honey because he is at work right now & his job consists of hard labor, outdoors, ALL day. Can you imagine?! These past few months he has endured some major torture heat and I do not know how he worked in those triple digits. I am very proud of him. He is dedicated and such a hard worker.
Ok...it is crystal clear that I am destined to be a teacher, more specifically a kindergarten teacher. Lol. The glue gun is my ultimate best friend. Seriously. I have that sucker plugged in atleast once a day, NO JOKE. I think it is the best invention EVER.
...Let me back up a little. My honey came over this morning, like 6:30 am to be exact. He was wide awake and lets just say I was...uh...NOT. Therefore I stayed in the bed till about 8:30 am then decided, ok, time to get up, and I made a pot of coffee.
...Well, my honey likes to draw and I am always asking him to draw me something...so...today he finally did. I like the way he draws names so I asked him to draw mine. We turned on some tunes and got to crafting. He was busy drawing and I wrapped and decorated a plain white shoe box to store my article and picture clippings.
Here is the artwork my baby made me:
He earned some major brownie points on this one. This really made my day. (Yes, I am a very simple girl that is easy to please!) Thanks babe! XOXO
...And the arts and crafting continued through out the afternoon, working on a DIY bullentin board, a few flower arrangements, etc. etc. Fun. fun. fun. A little rain shower decided to bless us in the mix, which made it even better.
...On another note, tonight is the season premiere of.....Private Practice on Ch. 13 @ 9pm. I WILL be tuning in. I do not watch much TV actually, but I do have a few faves, and this is one.
...Honey bunny is in class and I am taking a break now for a little self mani-pedi treatment.
If I don't get back on here tonight, I will be back tomorrow!
Wow! What a busy and better yet, productive, day. It has been a clean, throw away, rearrange, DIY kind of Monday. And it feels grrrreat. This kind of stuff is right up my alley. Ever since I was a young girl I loved rearranging my room (like a million times). There is something very refreshing about a new "view" or "look". I have a passion for interior design so I dive into it at every opportunity. So... I have several bags to take to Goodwill, several bags for the garbage, and more space in both closets. I am taking a break now, while writing this, before getting back at it. Organization is calling my name. Rewinding for a bit...back to last night. We indeed watched both movies. I really enjoyed "The Resident". That is my kind of movie- SUSPENSE. However by the time it got around to movie #2- "Limitless", I was a bit typsy and sleepy from my cocktail. I watched the first half of the movie (which was cool) and dozed in my honey's arms the second half of the movie (even better). Ok back to the present. I am exhausted and enjoying a glass of red wine, Shiraz to be exact. I dont really care for dancing with the stars (my mom loves it) but I did watch Rob Kardashian when it was his turn. I am unashamed and indeed a fan of the Kar'trash'ians (as my uncle jokingly calls them). Well peeps, stick a fork in me, because I am DONE for the day.
Feeling a little {under the weather} with a sore throat and ear ache. So...it has been a l-a-z-y Sunday.
I rested in bed till about noon, then my mom, uncle and I went over to my older brother, Ethan's place. His b-day was last Sunday and we didn't get together...so...today we brought him his gift and cards. (better late, than never-right?) I can't believe he is 33 years old. Wow. I decided I want to stop whenI hit 30. =)
Any who, back at my apartment now doing a little BLOG research and article cutting. I am glad I went on facebook because I was reminded that the fabulous ~Kendra~ premiers tonight on E! Yay! I love her, the hottie hubby Hank, and that adorable baby, Hank jr. Seriously, he could be a baby model! What a cutie. I hope the new season is a hit.
Well my honey got off from work at 4:30 pm and called to say he was coming by and we could rent some movies. Yay! I was glad. I always enjoy his company and spending time together. We have a simple, sweet, and relaxed relationship. We get along so well and share alot of the same beliefs on life. I love that we can be ourselves around each other, comfortably. After all, we have known each other since high school and were very fortunate to have re- connected in June of this year. He is my best friend AND my man. We share a perfect combination of {Real} talk and {Romance}. So... my sexy sweetheart comes over and we run to Dominoes for a pizza and soda, the Red Box, and the corner store for some alcoholic beverages. We rented "The Resident" and "Limitless". I will share my feedback after watching them tonight.
