Closing Day

It's not til tomorrow, but tomorrow is going to be a whirlwind, so I am posting about it today. Assuming all goes as planned I should be a homeowner in just over 24 hours. Even though I probably won't move until may, I have already set up the electricity & water so I can start working in and around the house. I went ahead and filled out my change of address form online. Now I'm just waiting for them to tell me when to be there and how much to bring =)

Right after work tomorrow I'll be dropping Sadie off at the vet and driving down to Houston with Jenny to catch a sunrise flight to NYC on Thursday. I will definitely post pictures soon after!

P.S. Check out my photos link on the right to see pictures from our trip to Corpus a couple weeks ago.

Sanctified

I am...

chosen by God. (Deuteronomy 7:6)
redeemed by His blood. (Romans 5:19)
like God, righteous and holy. (Ephesians 4:24)
sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
blameless and holy. (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
without fault. (Jude 24)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Today is a good day...

Today is a good day because...

I got coffee and a muffin at Starbucks this morning for only $2.50.
I was able to get out of the office during lunch and experience a perfect spring day.
I received perfectly crisp, fresh & hot fried okra at Bush's.
I got locked out during lunch and my sister was close by and semi-available to let me back in so I could make it back to work on time.
I was also lucky enough to have my windows cracked just enough on my car to reach in and unlock it to get my phone and call for help.
I managed not to get stung by the wasp that was trapped in my car.
I made someone's day by getting them a discount on a hearing aid.
I received my REI divident for $99.42!
And, I get to have chicken spaghetti for dinner!

FDA Approves First Totally Implanted Hearing System

FDA Approves First Totally Implanted Hearing System

Waco in Bloom

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My (soon to be) New House!

In Case You Were Wondering.....

21 Tips For Removing Crayon Marks From Walls

Toothpaste (regular paste–not gel). This one’s my first pick always (good old regular Crest), it also helps clean up permanent marker stains pretty easily.

Artgum Eraser – gently rub on marks in a circular motion, can also try a regular pencil eraser. Done carefully, this might be an option for wallpaper stains.

Baking Soda – make a paste with water and use it to gently scrub the mark. You could also just sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and rub.

Baby Oil – apply directly to crayon stains then rub off.

Mayonnaise – Glob some on the stain and scrub a bit in a circular motion, then wipe off.

Shaving Cream – apply to markings, rub in, then wipe off.

WD-40 – spray some on the marks and rub off. Wash walls with hot soapy water once the crayon has been removed.

Turpentine – dab some on a damp cloth and scrub into stain to remove crayon.

Lighter Fluid – apply as you would turpentine

Goo Gone – Same directions as for turpentine

Ammonia – soak a section of cloth in household ammonia and scrub markings. You may also luck out with an ammonia based cleaner like Windex and a hot soapy cloth.

Vinegar – soak a toothbrush in white vinegar and scrub marks off.

Heat – Take a hair dryer to the crayon stain and allow it to heat the wax. Wipe heated crayon wax off with a hot, soapy cloth. You could try a clothes iron as well (no steam), just make sure it’s on a low heat setting so it won’t scorch the paint. Place a few paper towels between the wall and the iron.

Hand Lotion – rub directly into crayon and wipe off.

Powdered Dishwasher Detergent – make a paste with water and gently scrub area. Some detergents contain bleach so be careful on wallpaper.

Powdered Household Cleaners – such as Ajax or Comet. Mix with some water or sprinkle on a damp sponge then scrub gently.

Non-stick Cooking Spray – just spray it on then wipe off the marks. Not the best solution for wallpaper since this could leave a grease stain.

Hairspray – spray generously on walls then scrub off the crayon.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser – go gently, you don’t want to rub off any paint.

Rubbing Alcohol – Saturate part of a clean cloth then rub stains.

Moist Baby Wipe Towelettes – Rub them directly on the crayon stains and scrub markings off. The homemade baby wipes should work too!

Conversations outside my door

At work, we have a sitting area near my door for people waiting to be scheduled for surgery. I hear kids say the darndest things outside my door sometimes.  But today, this is the conversation I am hearing. So sweet. Picture a 7 yr old sister reading to her 14 month old brother, one word at a time:

Our.. Father.. Who.. Art.. In.. Heaven...
"Hollowed".. Be.. The, thy.. Name...
Thy.. Kingdom.. Come.. Thy.. Will.. Be.. Done...

"Bubba, are you lllistening?" (in her sassy seven-year-old voice)

On.. Eeaarrth.. As.. It.. Is.. In.. Heaven...
Give.. Us.. This.. Day.. Our.. Daily.. Bread...
And.. For.. Give.. Us.. Our.. Tres.. Pass.. Es...

"Bubba, take that out of your mouth. Right now. I mean it."
 
As.. We.. Forgive.. Those.. Who.. Tres.. Pass.. Against.. Us...

The tightrope walker.

"But believing in Jesus is not just a matter of the head, it’s a matter of our whole being. It's like the old story of Blondin, the famous French tightrope walker. One day he strung a cable across Niagara Falls, and there's a huge crowd watching. And as they watch, he walks across. And all the way back. Like he was out for a Sunday stroll. The crowd goes wild. He says to them, do you believe THAT I COULD WALK ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE WITH THIS WHEELBARROW? And they all cheer and scream and say YEAH! We believe THAT you can walk across there with a wheelbarrow. No problems. They've seen him walk it easily. Shouldn't be too much harder with a wheel barrow. They believe that he could do it. But here's believing IN. Blondin says, okay, you believe I can do it. You've seen me walk across there. WHO'S GOING TO GET IN THE WHEELBARROW? And come with me. And there was a deathly hush. See, it's a different thing altogether, isn't it? You can believe THAT he can do it. You can believe BECAUSE he‘s done it before. But when it comes to BELIEVING IN, there's an element of personal commitment being called for.Finally one man puts up his hand. He gets into the wheelbarrow and Blondin slowly but surely pushes him across the rope to safety. That man was the only one who really believed, because he backed his intellectual belief with a physical trust Jesus says we need to have that sort of belief. Its not good enough to believe that God exists, or that Jesus was a good teacher. Its not enough to believe there is a heaven and that God is gracious and loving. Its about putting your money where your mouth is. And your life and your relationship and your future, and your everything."

Snow day!

Sadie's snow dandruff!


We are like the mail man, "rain or shine, sleet or snow..."


Paw prints!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Me and Mom

Last weekend I went to Houston and got to see my mom's office for the first time. It is on the 30th floor and has quite a view from the terrace.

The building also is very reflective so I took a picture of us while we were out there.

This is our actual reflection in the window! It reminded me of the Chicago bean!

(Chicago 2006)

Sadie n Me

 Today is the 2 year anniversary of when I brought Sadie home! I had been visiting the SPCA with Lori and had my eye on the cutest little black dog. I think she had her eye on me too! When I would come and look at all the dogs, Sadie would stand up on her hind legs and watch me walk around the whole place until I left. Then one day Lori talked me into adopting her. It was January 17, 2008.

Sadie's story really starts with Nick.

Nick was very old and pretty sick when I got him in 2006. He lived with me almost a full year and when we said goodbye I thought I'd never be able to love another dog the same way. Well, I lasted almost 3 months before I ended up with Sadie.

Needless to say, I am completely smitten by her.  She is my alarm clock, my faithful companion, my exercise program, and my friend. I still love her ears and her playful personality. Even people who don't like dogs tend to like Sadie. She is very sweet and definitely knows how to put the "puppy eyes" to use for her good. I have really enjoyed having her and today I am celebrating our 2 year anniversary. Haha!

Christmas in pictures

Sadie helped Dad carve the turkey on Christmas eve.

After a delicious feast with Mary, Jorge, Michael and Stephen, we all headed to Corpus to spend Christmas day with Grandma and Grandpa.  Along the way we crossed the Navidad River!

We took G&G out for steak and loaded them down with gifts.

Then we all went to Grandad's house for dessert.

Jenny taught Sadie how to be a therapy dog at the assisted living center. The residents all love petting her when we come.

The end of a decade

There has been lots of talk this week about the end of the decade, so I started thinking back on it.

When this decade started...
I was in high school.
I had to take my camera to CVS for the pictures to be developed.
Ben Butler was 5 years old!!
I shared a '93 Mitsubishi Eclipse with my dad.
I carried a giant book full of CDs in my car.
And AOL instant messenger was how we talked online.

They are calling this the technology decade, and for good reason. We have worked our way to instant gratification-- through iTunes, amazon, Kindle, GPS, smart phones, digital cameras, facebook, Twitter, and on demand movies... just to name a few.

In this decade... I graduated from high school, college, and grad school.  So maybe for me this should be the decade of higher education, and of course technology. I have GPS, digital camera, and music all on my phone. I no longer carry Mapscos, film, or CDs in my car.  I don't even know how to log onto AIM anymore, because we have texting, G-chat, and facebook. 

I am hoping this coming decade will also carry lots of new and exciting life changes.  Who knows where it will take me... so here's to 2010-2019!!  (Wow that sounds weird!)

Big D

Today I am back at work after a lovely long weekend of Christmas break.  It's a good thing I enjoy my job because I am especially envious of those still on break this week.  Fortunately for me, I have New Years Day off so I get to head to Dallas on Thursday after work to celebrate the end of 2009 with my fellow Class of 2009 Doctors of Audiology! I will pick up Julia at Love Field and then spend the evening celebrating and reuniting with Greg & Misty, Bodes, Reagan, and Rachel.  I can't believe how lucky we are that this worked out! I miss these guys like crazy since we graduated in May.  There are some other things I miss about Dallas as well...  Potbelly, DSW, Whole Foods chicken salad, dog school, UGM, and my favorite friends, to name a few.  Maybe I will get to experience some of these things as well on my visit.  For  now, I better get back to work.  I hope to post a few pictures from Christmas soon. We shall see!

My favorite Christmas scripture

John 3:17  "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

This is probably not frequently quoted around Christmas time, but I love it because it tells exactly why God chose to send his Son.  And after all, that is what Christmas is all about! 

I imagine this verse is probably one of the most overlooked in the whole Bible because it follows right after John 3:16, which is undoubtedly the most quoted verse of all.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life..... For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

Thankful

When I was a student, I frequently said I was most looking forward to Sunday afternoons post-grad school.

Well, here I am at home on a Sunday afternoon, and I have to say I am very grateful that my to do list today includes (1) go to zumba, (2) make zucchini bread, (3) wrap a few gifts, and (4) maybe bathe Sadie instead of (1) start a paper, (2) finish research analysis, and (3) read 100 pages about auditory processing disorders.

Yes, life post-grad school is pretty good.

the prettiest tree in Waco

He gives me hope

Today I'm praising God...
-For Stellan's Victory.
-that even when life looks bleak, I am confident He holds my future.

And I trust in Him.

-for reminding me that PF is not a lways a death sentence*.
-because I know Jesus has the power to restore me.
-that on my first day at BSF, God's already talking to me.
-because I know He's not finished with me yet.
Today I've been reminded that even when there is no hope, there is God. And He always comes through. Sometimes it is not on our terms, but that's okay because He is God and He's in control.

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3


*Tonight I heard about a man who just got his 2nd lung transplant. He is 65 years old, diabetic, and was less than 100 lbs when he went in for it. They told his family he may not make it off the table, and he did. Praise God!

43 families.

The title for this post was going to be "Every day is someone's last" - but that seemed a bit too morbid for a title. You may have guessed I'm writing about the tragedy that took place at Ft. Hood today. My heart goes out to the 43 families who were personally impacted by this senseless shooting. Loss of a loved one is so hard to deal with, especially when it is sudden and unexpected. I don't think I'll ever understand how anyone makes it through losing a child. One thing I've learned over these past 2 years is that there is a day that each and every one of us will leave this life on earth, and we have to be ready on that day. We don't know when it is, and we have no control over when it will come. And when our time does come, we have to be ready to go. I don't know if this is something most people learn at 26, but for me it has really hit home these past few years since losing Uncle Jim, Mama Dara, Aunt Peggy, and Uncle Dan so close together. During Uncle Dan's last week of life (if you can call it that when you are dependent on life support), I heard the Chris Tomlin song I will rise about a hundred times. It reminded me that we all will face "our time" and when it comes we should be ready and willing to go. The harder part of that is letting the people we love go when it is their time. The truth is that any day can be anyone's last, and every day is someone's. One day ours too will come. Will you be ready?