Where should I go?

Thanks to my friend who I planned my first major travel trip with back in 2010, I’ve had the serious travel bug ever since. My only problem? Finding someone to travel with me who I didn’t fear would cause drama during the trip (which is exactly what happened with my selfish, condescending ‘friend’ I went on my last trip with). Most people don’t have the time, the money, or the desire to go somewhere. Or they have a significant other they wont go without (which, I don’t blame them, I wouldn’t either). So with that said, I am on the verge of planning: MY FIRST SOLO TRAVELLING TRIP. I recently discovered the term of my fear, solomangarephobia, so this will be quite a challenge for me, but I like a good challenge. Thanks to the internet, there is a lot of information on preparing for a safe travel, and almost as much information as preparing for a solo woman traveler. First question- Where do I want to go? I always wanted to go to Paris, but that’s not a place I want to go alone. I definitely think leaving America as my first solo trip is the best choice, as if I am going to stay in America, I’d like to turn my trip into a long road-trip, which isn’t fun alone. Russia is out of the question, never desired to go there, don’t like their accents. Italy would be nice, but isn’t that more of a romantic place? Switzerland, I can ski the Swiss Alps J Japan would be fun, I’d blend right in, since I’m short. ;) Or Korea. South. I have a free place to stay there, as well as a free tour guide lined up already. The world is endless with possibilities. But in 2013, I WILL be somewhere outside of America for a short time-being.

Freebies and discounts

Do you cut coupons? Do you enjoy finding good deals when shopping?  Do you hate having to pay full price when shopping online?  I have the solution for you. I have used this site for several years now, and it works. I'm not sure why ive waited this long to post it on here.  Check out http://www.promotionalcodes.com.  It offers coupon codes you enter at time of checkout to get free shipping, or 20% off, and other online discounts.  I have to warn you- sometimes the codes don’t work, so you have to try several of them, but it will definitely save.  At Christmas time, I always buy all the kids’ Christmas presents online, usually at amazon.com, and using that website above has definitely saved me some money on shipping costs and such.     Another site I recently discovered is Fat Wallet.  Also, checkout this website I found this week for some freebie tips: Yahoo!

Married people

This weekend my sweet, innocent 4 year old niece decided to tell me what married people do. This greatly caught my attention. What could a four year old possibly know about married people?

Austynn: married people get naked and get in bed together. 
Me: (eyes wide big) they do what??
Austynn: they get naked and lay in bed at night and just talk. Because that's what you have to do when you are married. Get naked and talk. 

 Well. Alright then. There you have it.

perks

I am enjoying my job pretty much all the time, and it definitely comes with perks.  Just last week, I had a meeting with a vendor and his manufacturer to pick out a new line of uniforms for all employees to wear.  Since all the samples were size medium, I got the opportunity to 'model' the clothes for everyone in the meeting.  It was a lot of fun.  Then, the vendor asked us to lunch.  His treat.  While at lunch, I learned an interesting fact.  The manufacturer that I've been dealing with lately, Greg Collins, is a former Patriots Football player, he was a receiver.  He was also the Former mayor of Kemah. And after some googling, I found out his son might go off to play professional football too.  Pretty neat.

Here's one of the shirts I got to sample/model:

The Shack

A few years ago I joined a small group/bible study with a friend. I only went a handful of times and then joined karate, so I didn't have time to go anymore. During the few weeks I was going, I met this girl, Claire ( she makes amazing cakes and can be found on Facebook if you search Cakes by Claire). We were talking about books, a relatively new topic to me as I always hated reading and knew. Oohing about. Oops or authors. She suggested I read "The Shack". I never did. But I remember us talking about it and she made it sound like an amazing book for everyone to read and get something out it. This week, I decided to check it out.


I am linking up today with Heather from Blonde... Undercover Blonde for Friday's Book Club.

Where I have read and changed because of it:

 Mackenzie Phillips, known as Mac, takes his three youngest children on a weekend camping trip on their last summer weekend. His wife, Nan, had a class to attend so she could not go camping. Through new friendships for his family, and lots of adventures and laughter, tragedy strikes the Phillips' family. His youngest daughter, Missy disappears. The public's support for finding the little girl is overwhelming. 3 years later, the family is still dealing with Missy's disappearance and the possible thought of her being murdered, Mac receives a one-sentence letter in the mail, signed 'Papa'. His anger and curiosity builds as he tries to find the meaning of this note.

Mac truly grows in his relationship with God, getting answers to Sony of his questions over the past few years, as well as learning more about God's existence and his meaning for us.

This book is a great  read and I highly recommend it to everyone. I believe I had half the book highlighted with answers to questions I didn't know I even had about God.

Here are a few of my favorite lines from the book:
Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to hold power over another is to chose to limit oneself- to serve.

Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown.

Humans have a great capacity for declaring something good or evil, without truly knowing.

The person who lives by his fears will not find freedom in my love.

On the subject of why God allows pain and evil:    [God] doesn't stop a lot of things that cause pain.  Your world is severely broken.  You demanded your independence, and now you are angry with the One who loved you enough to give it to you.  Nothing is as it should be, as God desires it to be, and as it will be one day.  Right now your world is lost in darkness and chaos, and horrible things happen to those God is especially fond of.  

Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors. 


 

September Photo A Day- week 1

Once a week in September I will dump my photos on here. I decided to participate in the "Photo a Day" this month by Fat Mum Slim.




Sept 6: "Every day" Every day I drive past this short little statue, Stephen F. Austin.

 Sept 5:  "Bright". 

Sept 4:  "In my mailbox" This is my inbox at work.  I'm never quick enough to get to the mailbox at home.

Sept 3: "Far away" I'm driving through town, far away from the salon to get my eye brows waxed on this Labor Day. 

Sept 2: "Father".  My dad and brother went to a gun show today, and of course, they bought some guns.  Dad is super excited for his new toys.

Sept 1: "You, now"  This is me, getting ready for work

Happy Birthday Brynnlei!

The day my beautiful niece, Brynnlei was born in 2011, is when I made up my mind- I am going to finish school, and move home.  I am so fortunate that I was able to move home months in advance from when I planned. Even more lucky to be here to watch as Brynnlei learns to walk, talk, and do all those things that babies learn to do. Last week marks her 1 year birthday. I cannot believe she is 1 already. I remember exactly what I was doing a year from 2 days ago, I was taking an H&R Block class so I can do taxes, and I got a text that they will be inducing Candis on Wednesday, Sept. 7. I took off the rest of the week from work, headed home on Sept. 6 so I can be there for the birth of my niece. When it came time to deliver, the dr. was so kind as to ‘forget’ I was in the room, so that I could witness this miracle being born. I have to say, it wasn’t a pretty sight haha.


 BRYNNLEI RAYNE was born on 9.7 of 2011 at 11:50 AM weighting 7.9 lbs.

Brynnlei, only 1 day old.  9/8/2011.

Brynnlei 1 year pics- 9/4/2012

Brynnlei 1 year pics- 9/4/2012

Brynnlei 1 year pics- 9/4/2012

Brynnlei 1 year pics- 9/4/2012

 

The Service

After reading and enjoying the true events that were told in first person in The Lone Survivor I decided to purchase the author's, a local native of my town, second book. This book has more explanations and stories to go with it.


I am linking up today with Heather from Blonde... Undercover Blonde for Friday's Book Club.

The book I chose to read is: 

In this second book, Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell has learned more about what happened on that one terrible week when his team was ambushed in Afghanistan several years back.  He talks about that day and the people that he will always forever be grateful for risking their own lives for his, as well as the details he did not know during his first book.  Marcus also returns to Iraq for another mission, that turns into a 6-month battle.  

I remember reading The Lone Survivor and I couldn’t put the book down because I was so enthralled with the details of that terrible event, however, I had a hard time staying focused in Service because the details were boring to me.  I prefer a book with more action than explanations.  This is a great book to read if you are interested in the war, and want to give our American Heroes a thought at the sacrifices they make for our country, but don’t read it expecting it to keep you turning page after page to see ‘what happens next’.  

Beach 2012

This summer I had the chance to visit the beach twice. Once in Galveston for my cousin's wedding. Once at Surfside for our annual family beach weekend gathering. We discovered we have been doing the yearly beach trip for about 12 or more years. Wow! Gotta love traditions.

Here aremy favorite pics from the trips.