2011

I am not one for setting resolutions at the beginning of the year. Resolutions don't usually make it past a couple of weeks, if that long. So as I was thinking about the upcoming year I thought I would set some goals I would like to achieve by this time next year. In thinking about these goals there are some immediate type goals and some that are long range. So here it is......

1. Get in shape and lose 30 pounds. Now I know that this is a typical new years resolution and from all the diet plan commericals most people choose this and it doesn't last long. I started working out this morning and my body is already sore, but in a great way. Yes, I want to lose some weight, but more importantly I want to be in shape, I want to be healthy.
2. Buy our first home. We are in the process of getting ready to start this. Now that we have jobs and have pay checks coming in we will be able to get a mortage. Funny how the bank won't give you money to buy a house without a steady income to pay for it. We have looked a little bit and will continue to look. Praying that at the right time God will bring the right house to us at a price we can afford.
3. Encourage my creative side. I found this really cool magazine at the library last week. I think it was called Craft 'N Things. I brought a few home and got some really good ideas of things I want to create. So I want to do at least one craft project a month. I already now what I am going to be doing in January. ( Right now I am finishing an embroidered Christmas tree skirt for Ruben- it was something Mom had gotten for Ruben and so I am completing it and have enjoyed it. I will try to post a couple of pictures when it is done.) But my idea for January is some valentine's decoration. I will try to post pictures of that too.
4. Cook more- okay it's not that I don't make dinner every night cuz I do. I enjoy cooking and feeding my family, both meals and baking sweets. This goal is more in trying new recipes. I would like to try a new recipe once every two weeks or ideally every week. I have some tried and true favorites, but would love to find some more that will fit that catergory.
5. Read more. I thoroughly enjoy going to the library and getting books to read. I usually find and check out too many than I can read in 2 weeks. Either that or I need to find more time to read.
6. Blog more. It's been a while since my last post- enough said.

That's all I can think of at the moment, it seems like a long enough list for now. I just hope that my readers- like all 2 of you, check up on me and see if I am achieving my goals. I am looking forward to this coming new year and all that God has planned for me.

much needed motivation

I need to start working out, I want to lose some weight and more importantly get in shape. I have great desires and clothes that are waiting for me to be able to wear again, my only problem is a slight lack of motivation. You see over the last couple of years when I have been working out I always had a "reason"- a bridesmaid's dress to look hot in, not to look too fat standing next to my size 0 friends, lookin' smokin' in my own wedding dress. But you see now I do not have any of those motivators, and it is winter so out come the oversized sweaters and sweatshirts- no shorts, swimsuits or tiny clothes.
I need motivation- I have tried motivating myself. I have thought about working out a few times, a thought and a new jillian michaels dvd were as far as that went. I think part of my problem is that I don't really have a routine persay (hopefully that will change with a job.)
Its not that I don't want to work out- yeah it is never really fun and the first couple days are brutal. I am just having a hard time getting started. Maybe once I get started I will continue so that when those spring and summer clothes start coming out I will be ready for them.
I just need that extra push to put my shoes on, push play on the dvd, sweat a bit and being to feel better about myself. I have a goal, I know how much weight I would like to lose, and I know it doesn't come off overnight. But it won't start dropping if I don't start moving.
So maybe this is my plea for that push of motivation....

Going Home Again

Yesterday we came back to Cleveland for a wedding reception for some special friends who got married a little bit after us. When we got off of 80 I had this feeling of being at home. I have come back to the familar, some where that I called home for the last 8 years. I am looking forward to seeing lots of people- I have been thinking about everyone I need to see so that I don't leave anyone out. I am also really looking forward to going to church on Sunday. I have missed Valley View Village Church and the people there.
And while this feels like home that does not mean that I'm moving back- in case you were wondering and/or hoping. My home now is with my husband and we have decided to make Iowa our home.
So the next few days will be very busy seeing lots of people and of course a day of football and I'm sure a couple of late nights playing dutch blitz. I can't wait!!!!!!

How Often

I have been trying to decide how often it is appropriate to write. Should I write every day or just when I have something to say???? I have been thinking about this, I know I like it when I check the blogs I follow and see new posts to read, so I think I should write often.
It's just right now I don't have a whole lot to say I guess, not too much exciting going on. In the middle of job searching....no fun no matter how you look at it. I would just like a job. I enjoy staying at home and don't think I will have much problem being a stay-at-home mom. No I am not saying that is going to be happening soon- we are not pregnant! I just enjoy being at home, taking care of things at home and all that entails.
Yesterday I went to the social security office to get my name changed- so now I am officially Mrs. Joyce Pierpont. Sometimes it still hasn't hit me yet, though I am very glad that I am.
Today I am working on some job apps and then it is time to work on our wedding thank you's. I am excited to work on them, so I should probably finish this up so I can get my apps done so I can play :)

Settling In

We are in the process of getting settled in. The wedding is done- it was wonderful. God gave us a beautiful day- sunshine and warm weather, which was nice considering the reception was under a tent outside. The ceremony went without a problem. Things went smoothly. We only had 2 hiccups- which everyone has- we were taking pictures in the park- and a ranger stopped us, it was a national park and you have to get a special license to do that. Thankfully Russ and I went over to the park before the wedding party joined us, so we got a ton of pictures of just the two of us at the park and just a couple with the wedding party. I can't wait to see all of our pictures.
The second hiccup was that our friend Paul who was going to videotape our ceremony got stuck at the camp where the men's retreat was held the night before (another story to tell). While we missed him and are sad he wasn't able to join us we were very thankful that my cousin Nick was able to step in a tape it for us.
All in all it was a great day and at the end of it I was Mrs. Pierpont. There are some specifics I do not remember about that day, but the things I do I love and will always cherish this day.
We went to North Conway, New Hampshire for our honeymoon. I had never been there before and we had a good time. We saw lots of moose crossing signs- they made me laugh. I however did not see a live moose, that would have been even better!
We went up on Mount Washington. We took the cog railway up the mountain, it took about 30 minutes to go up 3 1/2 miles. It was a beautiful day up there- not too cloudy and not too cold- it was about 35-40 degrees while we were up there and we could see really far. The pictures are awesome- I will have to try to post some.
After New Hampshire we went to Maine for about 5 days to see Russ's extended family. I met some of them that were not able to come to Ohio for the wedding. Maine was also a first for me. We had lobster one night- I wasn't a huge fan of having a cooked lobster in front of me that needed to be dismantled to be eaten. Lobster at a restaurant already dismantled is good- its the dismantling that I couldn't handle. So needless to say I had something else to eat that night.
After Maine we headed west to go pick up our dog, spend time with Russ's parents and see some friends before heading to Iowa.
We stopped in Ohio and spent time with our good friends Steve, Amy, Hayley and Abby. This was lots of fun, but it ended way too soon. I am looking forward to November when we go to see them again. It was so difficult to say good-bye on Saturday, I cried on our way to Michigan.
Russ's parents and Attawolf (our dog) were very excited to see us. It was good to see them too. We spent a couple of days with them before heading out to Iowa. We went to a huge Christmas store called Bronner's- they give you a map to find your way around. It was a bit overwhelming! For the past many years every Christmas I buy a penguin for Ruben, a nutcracker for Dad and a Santa for Mom. It has always been about finding an interesting, unique, different one for them. There were lots of Santas that fit that description and I could not handle it. There were a few tears and I decided that I was just going to skip Christmas this year- it will be hard.
We packed up the car one more time, this time with a dog for a 9 hour trip. Attawolf is not a bad traveler, but he doesn't like sitting in the back seat, so he stood in the middle the first half of the trip and on my lap the second half.
As we were getting closer it was weird thinking that we were coming here to stay, not just a vacation. It has been sooooo very long since I have lived here that it seems weird that we are here to stay. But we are beginning to get settled in, unpacked the suitcase and put clothes away- which was so nice, after a while one gets tired of living out of a suitcase. Attawolf has settled in too, and realizes this is home. He loves Dad and Ruben and enjoys playing with them, begging for food and even sleeping with them.
Now we are looking for jobs- resumes have been updated and being sent out, please pray with us that God provides us with good jobs quickly.
We are excited to see what God has for us here in Iowa and we know we are where He wants us to be. As spoonfuls of grace are being scooped out I will share how we are seeing God work in our lives.

Small Break

I am taking a brief break from my blog for a couple of reasons. 1. It's just a couple of days until I become Mrs. Joyce Pierpont 2. I will be enjoying my honeymoon.
So therefore, I shall return to blogging after the honeymoon.

Last Times vs. Firsts

The wedding plans are coming along, not too much left to do (or at least I want to think that) before the big day- 15 days from now. So much has been done in the last 2 weeks and lot to finish up this weekend.
I had another last night, I met one last time for dinner with Elaine. Elaine and I used to teach together back at Cedar Hill and would eat lunch together every day. After I was not teaching any more we would get together every couple of months for dinner at Applebees to get all caught up. I realized tonight that it was the last time for this to happen- it would be a long trip for dinner from Iowa. I had a moment of sadness at it being the last time. I then realized that while I have been having a few last times, there are a lot more first times things coming up that are very exciting. So I have decided to try not to be too nostalgic about these things and enjoy each moment that God brings me.

Not a Part of the Plan

Last night threw a kink in my plans. I am a planner my nature, sometimes it is a positive and others a negative, but it is what I am. I am a planner. Last night Russ and I went to get some dinner, did a little bit a shopping and then headed over to meet our baker to taste the cake and get that part of the reception all settled. I was excited all day about going to taste cake. As I was getting out of the car I caught the tip of my pointer finger of my left hand in the door, it shut on it. OH MY WORD did it hurt. I cried and had a bit of a melt down in Phill's (cake lady) drive way. She came out of the house to make sure we knew we were at the right place. So I wiped the tears off and we went in the house. Russ asked if we could have some ice to put on my finger. So as we sat there tasting cake- which was incredibly yummy and figuring out all the details I had my finger on ice. It hurt a lot and I could feel the pain going down into my arm and the tip of the middle finger was numb as well. We decided to go ahead and get it checked out at urgent care. Phill let us know there was one down the street. So away we went, we ended up at the ER instead but we got in right away. After getting X-Rays done I learned something new. We have spongy bones in the tips of our fingers and I broke mine. So now I have my finger in a splint, on pain pills and took the day off. This all makes the plans a little interesting, I am not going to be able to do everything myself now and going to need help from others- actually just accepting the help already offered. God has a sense of humor and helped me slow down and enjoy the last 24 days before the wedding.
Tonight is exciting as I have another shower. I am sure others will have fun too, I mean what could be more entertaining but a bride on narcotics with a broken finger trying to open presents. I am still excited anyway and going to enjoy tonight.

Remembering Who's Daughter I Am

So the last couple of days have not been so good. Lots of stress from work, planning a wedding and a move, a lack of sleep and then add the the greiving process to the mix. It hasn't been a very good past few days. ( point in fact I smiled at one of the guys at work today and he asked what was up, I said I was just smiling at him is that okay, he commented back that yes it was fine I just haven't smiled in a about a week.)
Things are starting to get better, while the stress and the greiving aren't necessarily gone they are being looked at through different eyes. I have been reading in the Psalms lately and it has been a huge encouragement to me to read about all the things God was taking David through and how He was using them to glorify Himself and to grow David. I know that the many things that I am walking through our lessons that can grow and shape me.
I have also had heaping of grace poured out to me recently, not just spoonfuls. Because of that, encouraging words and wise counsel my perspective has begun to change.
I am the type of person who when I have a job to do I want to do it all myself (typically) and do it to the best of my ability or even better. I have been told that some times I am too hard on myself- I am beginning to see that and trying to change. My parents always encouraged me to do my very best, I think I have been trying too hard. I remember countless times when my mom would ask/ tell me to remember who's daughter I am. While she didn't want me doing anything that would embarass or disgrace my parents she was reminding me more that I am the daughter of the King and to live like it. So today as I was driving home from work, her words came to my mind so I am going to remember that and face the next month of busyness, stress, excitement and all that is going to be wrapped up in the days before our wedding as living as the daughter of the King!

To Do Lists

Invitations are done and in the mail. They turned out much better than I had originally anticipated, however by the time I was done with them I was getting to the point I was hating them. Now that they are in the mail, I really love them again. :) Wedding planning is coming along, I believe we have decided on a caterer. We are getting things done and my calendar is filling up quickly, it seems like I am going to be very busy for the next 36 days. It doesn't help that I am exhausted and trying to get enough rest. So right now I am making lots of to do lists and living by them. I am trying to take one moment at a time and trying to enjoy this time. I am so very thankful for Russ who is helping with things and taking care of me, making sure I take time for myself and getting plenty of sleep. I am blessed to have him in my life.
So tonight he is working, so I am going to take advantage of it and do a little bit of shopping, relaxing and going to bed early. So glad it's the weekend and I can get some extra rest in as well as things done

Invitations

Now that the move is complete, stuff in storage, settled into Tom & Belle's and Soccer Camp at church is complete it is time to focus on the upcoming wedding.
It seems like there is so much to do and such a little time to get it all done. This weekend is focusing on invitations. I have gotten a lot done already today and am going to try to get everything but the outer envelopes done tonight. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....
This is my break from them for a couple of minutes and then it will be back to work. Thankfully I do not have too much more to do. Just some slits and gluing and assembling them together. Then it will be time to calligraphy the envelops.
It has been fun doing them ourselves and putting them altogether- including picking what we wanted, thankfully I have been saving wedding invitations and programs since I was a teenager and had many to get ideas from. I "stole" both my invitation and wedding program idea from Elizabeth Johnson Calvin. She had great ideas and I have used them- I have heard it say that imitation is the highest form of flattery. From going to pick out the paper, getting all the supplies and working on them, I have had fun using my creativity in this aspect of my wedding. September 18, 2010 will definitely showcase Joyce and her talents or her attempts at least.
So much to do, must stop rambling....

new normal

a new normal that's what everyone keeps telling me i need to find. i am saying right now i am working on it, but i don't like it. it is not easy and not that much fun. i don't like it! but this is my life now, creating new normals, tonight is just the first of many to come. some will be fun and exciting, but those are still a few days to come. tonight is a more difficult one. a new normal....

Grace

Spoonfuls of Grace... sometimes you need them as much as dishing them out. This has been my week so far. I feel like I have had more grace spooned out to me than I have shared with others. I do know that God is working on me through these times. I am remembering that it is more about the attitude within than the circumstances without.
It helps to have friends and loved ones help to refocus me and listen to me vent, cry and get it all out. I am so thankful that God has brought these people into my life.
Right now my focus for the next couple of days is moving- to finish up packing, getting everything cleaned and into the storage unit. Then once that is all complete which will be on Saturday, then I can focus on our wedding and even more important upcoming marriage... I am so excited and ready for September 18th to come.
I should probably go finish up packing, I wanna have it all packed when my daddy comes into town tomorrow night- must be productive again and get those things crossed off my list.

Sunday

Today has been a really good day. Church with Russ and Abby, worshiping God and learning more about the Holy Spirit. Then it was up to my old stomping grounds to go to Aladdin's for lunch with long lost friends, Tiana and Carra. Hummus was yummy and conversation even better. While taking a picture together we had a little situation with a chipmunk, and it trying to run up Abby's leg, literally. Then Abby and I made a favorite, Chicken Braid, for dinner worked on wedding things and watched a movie together. It has been a very good day and its time to go to bed, it is going to be a very busy week.
But today has been a good day full of God's blessings.

Packing

I have decided I "enjoy" unpacking boxes much more than packing them up. I am in the process of packing up my apartment for another move. Getting enough boxes and newspapers is a hassle and then deciding which items to put in which box is a pain. This is the 3rd move since moving to Cleveland about 8 years ago. You would think I would be a natural at this, though I don't feel like it at all. I would much prefer that my time was not consumed with packing right now, I could think of so many other things that I could and should be doing, can you say wedding. Besides I really hate the look of a place during the packing process- the bare walls and shelves. They seem so barren and sad. It makes me wish that everything could be packed up the day before the move. While I am sure that is a possibility it would most likely stress me out that I wasn't prepared or have it done in time for all my friends and family coming to help with the move.
Thankfully, the majority of my apartment is packed up and I will head back to packing after posting this. It all has to be packed by Friday, so I think I am doing okay.
Back to work....

Dessert

So I was given a new cookbook last night by my friend Amy, who is a consultant for Pampered Chef if you want to order anything (shameless plug :)). It was a Pampered Chef Simply Sweet 56 Irresistible Desserts. I looked through it tonight and there are so many that I can't wait to try, know I just have to decide which one to try first and how many I can try before getting into my wedding dress in just under 2 months.
It's late and I should go to bed, I was however productive and got 2 closets packed up as well as some other misc. things. More boxes tomorrow....

"She's Crafty"

Saturday mornings are fun when I am actually home and can watch a program on Ion TV called "She's Crafty." She has had some fun ideas and I have even used one of them- I made a purse out of a t-shirt ( and have another one in the works. I will have to take a picture and figure out how to put it on here.) Usually when I watch her, as my mom would have said the creative juices start flowing and I want to create something.
However, like today I have a list of things to accomplish and one of the things on the list is not being creative :(. Maybe tomorrow....

I currently live ( until the end of the month when I move) in a 2nd floor apartment. I have a little deck with glass sliding doors off the living room. About a week ago I saw and heard this little sparrow fly into the glass door a couple of times. It was weird but I thought this bird was just a little confused. I have changed that thought quiet a bit, since this sparrow does it every morning, the other morning it was for like 5 minutes straight. This morning the bird came to rest on the screen side multiple times. I do not understand what this little sparrow is thinking and why he thinks he should be able to come into my apartment. It has been neat seeing the bird really close up, I have thought about taking a pic of the bird on the window, but whenever I get close to the door he flies away.

Giving it a Try

I have been debating for a while about starting a blog. I read some friends and have thought of doing my own, and have finally taken the plunge to get my own.
I had to come up with a title so I asked my wonderful fiance, Russ, if he had any ideas and he came up with Spoonfuls of Grace. I asked him how he came up with that idea and he responded with because grace is needed for every part of life and the thought of Mary Poppin's spoonful of sugar.
So I will attempt to share spoonfuls of grace from my blog.