It's me, Charity

(I confess I am stealing this idea from one of my favorite new bloggers Jordan ) With the rollercoaster that I have been on this summer particularly, it has been very easy to get discouraged and upset and have a woe is me pity party whenever I feel like it. My Mom has been encouraging me to look for all the good things, all the blesssings in my life and not focus on what i think is wrong. So with that in mind I am going to start my own series of Grace in the Small Things. Looking at all the blessings God has given me, and just those small little things that can make your day so much brighter. 1. Sleeping in a cool room, thanks to the fall temperatures. 2. Omlette special coming back in the HTM cafe! 3. Being able to help a friend. 4. Having two days of no stress and calmness. 5. Fitting into pants that I haven't been able to wear in two years!

1. Today's 7 quick takes is being pre written on Thursday night because I have plans with Katie and my bubbies Friday night!! WOOT!! 2. I'm currently listening to my new, gently used ipod. I'm rather excited to have an ipod, but man alive, I am technologically challenged. 3. The low temperature on Sunday night is going to be 44. Um. Its August. In Indiana. The low temp should be DOUBLE that! What is going on with our crazy weather???!! 4. If you didn't know, I am kind of a weather geek. Although I am mourning the loss of our beloved weather man, Mike Prangley. He moved to FL. :( SADNESS 5. I have the cutest black and gold outfit planned for tomorrow!!! Friday's at Purdue, in the fall, are Football Fridays, and we all dress in our school colors, gold and black. (despite the fact that our football team, well, it struggles.) 6. After being at Kimmi's volleyball game last night I realized how much I miss seeing live sports! I really think I need to get some season t...

Wednesday night I had the priveledge of going to a 7'th grade girls volleyball game! My dearest Skippy aka Lisa, her neice Kimmi had a game and Skip was coming to town for it, so we made it a girls night out! I admit I did get lost for over 30 mins trying to find the school, google maps I HATE YOU!!! But I finally made it there and Kimmi's team hadn't played yet so it was allll good!! I got to see IN PERSON Skippy's GORGEOUS engagement ring! WOW!! I wish I had the presence of mind to take a picture of it, but a picture would do not it justice! it was so SPARKLY!! I think it could probably help land a plane in a fog, it was SO SPARKLY!! BEAUTIFUL!!!! I also got to hear the engagement story in person, so worth the wait! I cried. Embarassing yes but it was beautiful! GO SPARKY!!!! This is us happy after the first win!! WOOT!! And of course, no Pimp and Skip Night is complete without a Cherry Limeade from Sonic!! Thanks for inviting me Skip, even though you wouldn't le...

What else would a person do while their face mask is drying? *and yes I am clothed. Strapless sundress thankyouverymuch

If this week doesn't kill me I am not sure what will. I am so stinking tired I can't even explain it. Here is a pic of my festive first day of classes outfit!! Bear with me, I'm using new photo software and haven't quite gotten it down yet!! And yes, I am standing on a chair. And yes again, my table is messy.

Ok, well other than the sadness I had yesterday afternoon I managed to have a good weekend other than that. Friday I learned that Zucchini makes me sick. And I learned it the hard way. I think it is the skin that my tummy doesn't like. So I spent Friday night curled up on my couch, reading my magazines and watching TLC. I have to say that I absolutely LOVE the new show, Making over America. I am a sucker for anything with fashion!! I managed to hit bed early for a Friday night, midnight to be exact, and I think I had the best nights sleep I have had all year. Its been quite chilly here in Indiana, and was down in the 50's! So I slept with my bedroom windows wide open. oh it was GLORIOUS!!!!!! I slept in untill noon:) And then got up and putzed around. I was quite happy that I was up the entire afternoon. My meds all make me pretty sleepy and by the weekend I am worn out. But this Saturday I stayed awake untill 5 watching DVR episodes of Will and Grace and Friends:) Good times!!...

This weekend was a bit hard on me and the more I think about it the sadder I am. Yesterday I was supposed to be in North Carolina, serving as a Bridesmaid in one of my best friends wedding. Instead I got grounded from my Dr and was unable to go. I knew in my mind that he was right and it wasn't a good idea for me to go and risk getting sick there and not being able to come home. And I didn't want her to worry about me and how I was feeling and if I would get sick because she does worry about me.But my heart, oh my heart was another story. I just went on fb and saw a picture of my dear caca and her new hubby and I screamed at her beauty and then got very sad and wanted to cry. I so wish that I could have been there with her. We have been through SO MUCH in our 7 years of friendship. We survived PCC together, we went through our rebellious phase together and then found God together. We drifted apart for awhile due to normal life, and then found eachother right when we needed eac...

I've been feeling a bit guilty about my blogging lately. I read so many good blogs and so many blogs from Christian women that I look up to, that encourage me and strengthen me in each post. But yet I fear that I am nothing like them. I have never been great at expressing myself and talking theology, but I began to wonder, if someone visited my blog, would they know I was a Christian? Granted I am not talking about being promiscuous, going out drinking, or swearing up a storm, but really, would someone know that I am a believer by the words that I write? I hope so but I fear that is not the truth. And I want that to change. God has really been working on me this summer, especially with my sickness and all of the trials that I have been going through. He has used these to make me utterly dependent upon him and to give me a huge sense of who he is and how truly AWESOME he is. And I don't want to be silent about that, I want to show everyone how he has blessed me and continues to ...

1. I almost forgot to post my 7 quick takes today! 2. It is GORGEOUS outside, a cool 70 some degrees, and rainy. I love summer rain. I have my window open and am enjoying the cool air. 3. Today (and partially last night) I found out that Zucchini is NOT GOOD for my stomach illness. Needless to say after my miserable afternoon at work in pain and nauseated I will never be eating that again. :( 4. But I am very thankful that Cucumbers continually do not bother me. I eat about one a night. Thanks to my Dad having an awesome garden!! YAYS Dad!! 5. Cherry Lemonade lifesavers are quite possibly the greatest invention in the candy aisle. My Dr told me to chew gum and have hard candy to deal with the extreme dry mouth and sore throats i get from my meds. I am quite happy to do this. :) 6. I get to wear my new shirt to Orientation on Sunday. I am really hoping it fits well. Today we found out that the sleeves are rather long and tight. Or at least they were on other people. 7. I painted my toes...

So for the past few months my freezer door has been not fully shutting. It shuts but comes unlatched right after. So I finally put in a work request with my apt complex for them to come fix it. I came home tonight to this very technical answer to my problems.

Last week I was SO EXCITED to find out that I had won Christina's giveaway!! Much to my delight she shipped it and I recieved it Friday night!! I screamed when I saw this super cool bag! Many of my friends call me Cherry Pie!! Pardon the lack of make up, it was a LONG day!! I LOVED what she sent me!! I had been wanting a new perfume to wear but couldn't justify spending money on it. So i was really really excited when I smelled the perfume and it was just HEAVENLY!! Light and beautiful and quite delightful!! Thanks Again Christina! You made my day!

That is one of my favorite songs! And right now its playing on KLOVE and I am rocking out in my apt! My poor neighbors, the Baptist girl is rocking out!!! I have had an excellent evening! The perfect mix of relaxation and getting stuff done!!! I ran to Target after work to return a maxi dress I had got there last night, apparently they are not aware that some women have boobs. And some of us have a good amount of them. I thought I was going to pass out from lack of air intake when I put that dress on. WOW. So I returned that and was headed to the grocery section to pick up some Special K for breakfast at work and lo and behold the family size box was on the end of a check out aisle! I loved that!! Fastest trip to Target ever!! Which was good because I saw a good amount of students there loading up. I got home and enjoyed my coke icee, (what you thought i went to Target on a Friday night and didn't get a coke icee?!!!!) and caught up on blogs and facebook after being at work all day...

1. For the first week in what seems like FOREVER I have felt good and made it to work every single day! YAYS!!!! 2. I am a little bit OCD. Everytime I have to double check that my door is locked and chained, and I also turn on and off my alarm clock at least five times to make sure it is set. Crazy, I know. 3. I totally bought a shirt at Target last night that my co worker has. OOPS! Its so cute though!! I am SO not returning it!! 4. Next week starts craziness at Purdue and West Laffy and L town. Students start coming back tomorrow! I am excited to see all of our old and new students and nervous, because I'm not used to it being so crazy! I hope I can remember everying and help people!! 5. I have the urge to dye my hair again but I am desperately trying to fight it!! 6. I haven't done anything fun this summer, all my trips got cancelled due to my health, boo, and I didn't even make it to the fair:( 7. At work I am obsessed with my Burts Bees lip balm. I put it on at least o...

I was blessed to be able to receive some new CFS shirts for work this year! Since I am still a newbie and haven't built up a wardrobe of shirts for events, they gave me two! I absolutely LOVE this sweater! You can't really tell but it is nice and fitted and made for a woman! I really like this polo shirt as well.. Its made of the coolest sweat resistant fabric. And I lvoe the stripes on the arms and the collar! very spiffy!! Thanks Wendy!!

Tonight I came home and got in a MAJOR cleaning mode!! I scrubbed my shower, cleaned my sink off, ran the sweeper, cleaned off my kitchen table, put laundry away, put away blankets in containers for winter, (yes I know its August!!) organized my bedroom and the list goes on!! It felt so good to get things cleaned up and organized. I have more to do. I need to attack my living room and figure out what to do with the 15890890 books I have laying around. Here is a picture of my nice clean sink! I love my flower holders on the wall. They hold all of my jewelry and i love it!! I have 5 on the side wall holding my jewelry and my headbands!

A few weeks ago I had a jewelry malfunction. I had to take my belly button ring out for an MRI and when I put it back in I did not tighten it enough so I lost the top off.. I rigged up this fancy contraption while I was at work. Yes that is a binder clip. They are so very handy. I used that untill I could get to Walmart to buy this pretty new one. Too bad I didn't have duct tape.. And you're welcome for me not posting a picture of the ring IN.

I think its my lucky week!! Monday I found out I was the WINNER of a giveaway on Christina's site which thrilled me to no end!! I won a ton load of girly, smelly good stuff! YAYS!! Today as I was driving to Comcast to go yell at them (more about that later) I was listening to Z 96.5's drive at 5, and happened to hear the road rage go off, so I called in and was the second caller. I kept hitting redial and what do you know I WON!! I was the 9'th caller (quit laughing caca, we're a small town!) and won a gift card to Grindstone Charley's!!! YAYS!!! I couldn't believe it!! Of course the lady on the radio called me Cherie but whatever. At least she didn't call me Judy, which is what most people call me when I answer the phone at work. (no idea why) Something else good happened this week too I just can't remember it.. ergh... I feel like maybe I should play the lottery or something, but I'm not even sure how to!

Dear Comcast I tried to give you a chance. I really did. You came into Lafayette and took over Insight which I loved, but I tried to keep my mind open and give you a chance. I regret to say that you have lived up to your name as Crapcast and Craptastic. I usually don't speak up when things bother me, especially to people in Customer Service because I know how hard it is when you work with the public. But today you have thrown me over the edge. I am NOT happy and I refuse to take this lying down. (or sitting down as I am, whatever) You little "chat help people" not so much of a help comcast, not so much of a help at all. Not only do I have to wait forever and a day for them to get to me in the queue but then I have to wait and wait for them to pull up my file and try to verify that yes, I HAVE complained about this before, but alas the last idiot did not feel the need to make notes on my account. Let me spell this out for you Comcast. I didn't order Showtime Unlimited....

The Worker's 23rd Psalm The Lord is my boss, and I shall not want. He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me. He reminds me to pray, before I speak in anger. He restores my sanity. He guides my decisions that I might honor Him in all I do. Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mail, system failures, copier jams, back-ordered supplies, unrealistic deadlines, staff shortages, budget cutbacks, red tape, downsizing, gossiping co-workers and whining customers, I won't give up, for You are with me. Your presence, peace and power will see me through. You raise me up, even when the boss fails to promote me. You claim me as your own, even when the company threatens to let me go. Your loyalty and love are better than a bonus check. Your retirement plan beats any 401K, and when it's all said and done, I'll be working for you a whole lot longer!

Its been a rough few weeks around Cherry Land. I feel like I have been on an emotional rollercoaster, especially the last week. When you're going through a rough time it is so easy to feel like you are alone and that no one cares, or knows what you are going through. I feel like this past week especially I have been overwhelmed with love by people in my life, and even those who don't know me that well but know my family. I have been covered in prayers, and I appreciate it SO MUCH. I would have never made it through without the many many people who have been praying for me. Its almost been overwhelming to see how much my family loves and cares about me. My poor parents were in Iowa visiting my bro and sil while some really bad things happened to me and pretty much ruined their vacation, but yet they loved me and took care of me from afar. I can't tell you how much it meant to me to get all of their encouraging emails telling me how much I was loved, not only by them but by G...

Me and Sam Sam- Picture taken by Joey!! Go JOE!! Saturday night I had the pleasure of spending time with the Bubbies!! Katie needed an emergency babysitter so I came to the rescue! I had sooo much fun!! Sammy was tired and when he is tired, he is cuddly, which I LOVE. So I spent most of the evening with him in the crook of my arm like the picture above. Look at that face!! How can you not just fall in love??! Joey spent the entire evening playing a skateboarding video game. This was pretty much my view of him the entire time. The back of his head. I am happy to report that I am teaching Katie's kids so much, like the fine art of Stalking! Last time I taught them how to say Caca, this time its using binoculars. I am a GREAT babysitter!! I really did have a wonderful time watching them. The best part of the evening was when I put Sam Sam to bed and I rocked him for awhile before he laid down. Oh man. It was just precious. Made my ovaries ache. Everytime I am wait Katie's kid...

Happy Weekend Everyone!! I hope y'all are having a good weekend! My weekend started off last night with a trip to the chiropractor. I LOVE my chiropractor! I often say that he is my favorite man in the world, well, other than my Dad that is! He attempted to crack and move me back to form, but I was in really bad shape from being sick and under so much stress. So I got to come back this morning at 8 AM!! for a re check before I headed to work. Thankfully he was able to get me to move and my neck and upper back feels SO Much better!! YAYS!! Since I was up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday I ran and got a bagel at Big Apple Bagels, on my way back to get ready for work. I LOVE BAB! I used to frequent them often, because they were right on the way to my old job. But since I now work in West La La, there is no BAB around :( Sadness. Its rare that I am up and about before noon when they close on Saturdays so I take advantage of it when I can! Today I got the chocolate chip, they were out...

Its BAAACCKKKKKKKKKKKK!! After several weeks of being horrifically sick I am finally starting to feel like a human, YAYS, so therefore 7 Quick takes is back yet again! WOOT!!! 1. Last night I mopped my floor. Exciting huh? 2. I had velveeta shells and cheese for lunch. They have handy dandy little quick things you can pop in the microwave and for whatever reason they don't bother my tummy, SO I eat them! Except I put too much water in it and it wasn't as cheesy:( That kind of annoyed me! 3. I am going to have the priveledge and honor to be a bridesmaid in my dear friend Skippy's Wedding next July! Super excited!!!! 4. I need some cereal/crackers to snack on. I have none. I hate grocery shopping! 5. I have decided that I officially have the best family and friends EVER!! I can't imagine life without them!! 6. I miss my bubbies. With being sick and Katie gone for training I have not seen them in a month now. I'm sure they are taller than me! :( 7. I have began to see ...

So I went back to work today and had a GREAT day! Came home and watched two of my fave shows on DVR, and was feeling rather frisky. I saw something really funny that had to be passed onto my Mom so I called my parents. Dad answered. I don't know what came over me but the following transpired: Dad- Hello? Me- Hello!!! Dad- Hello Me- Whatchya doin? Dad- Why are you calling?! Me-...................... Let me in!! Dad- WHAT?! Me- Let me in the doors locked and I can't get in! Dad- What do you mean, ARE YOU HERE???!?!!! Me- Yes I'm at the front door now come unlock it and let me in!! Dad-..... feet pounding.. WHAT ARE OU DOING HERE??!?! WHATS WRONG?!?!? Me- Awe, nothin, I'm not really here Hysterical Laughter from Me Mad breathing from Dad More hysterical laughter from Me Seriously was the funniest thing I have done in awhile. And with that I can tell that I really AM feeling better!!! :) Although maybe I should be a tad concerned that Dad doesn't want me there? I mean i...

This week's quick takes is late but better late than never! I am feeling SO much better its not even funny! THANK YOU LORD!!! SOOOO ready to go back to work tomorrow!! 1. I was able to go to church today for the first time in a LONG time. It was wonderful to be back in Worship! 2. Katie Marie came to visit me last night, it was AWESOME to see her again! I have missed her so much! I gave her, her birthday presents and she gave me a kick butt pair of shoes she brought me from her training! 3. I ate a cucumber for dinner tonight. It was delicious!! 4. I have upstairs neighbors again *SOB* they are banging around right now. So noisy. 5. No nap this afternoon as for some unknown reason the lawn crew was outside right below my balcony for hours on end. I couldn't even hear my TV. I was NOT happy!! 6. I'm watching a DVR epsidoe of Dr Phil right now. I can't wait untill new episodes come on!! 7. As a bonus from being so sick I"ve lost and kept off 5 pounds! yays go me!!