So here's some pictures from a few recent "adventures" Dave and I have gone on :) LoL!
A trip to Ikea
My first trip to "Yocream" and I've been hooked ever since!
Dave's new side-job is to pilot the rocketships at Fred Meyers Monday, June 28, 2010
It's my first time posting pictures everyone :)
Dave's new side-job is to pilot the rocketships at Fred Meyers 
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday's cleaning
So I'm trying out a few new cleaning products and I figured I'd give you all my review of them in case you were thinking of trying some of them. Not that I should be your decision-maker on whether or not to buy them but just so you can have the humble opinion of another greenie-in-training ;)
Biokleen Soy Toilet Scrub-
I like it for general maintainance cleaning but I'm not sure how it would perform on stains as (luckily) the people who lived here before me kept the bathroom clean and my roommates and I have been keeping it that way, too.
Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Bleach- Free and Clear-
Worked fantastically on a couple of spots on my white washclothes! I don't know how colorsafe it is but I LOVE that it doesn't smell like regular bleach.
Method Squeeky Clean Dryer Cloths- Sweet Water-
These are my new favorite laundry assistant! I grew up on soft water and didn't realize how much of an impact this had on my laundry until I moved away and I've been searching for something that would make my clothes feel more like I like them since I moved away for undergrad. I tried all sorts of laundry softeners and dryer sheets and hadn't had any luck until I used these lil' guys. You can use each one in at least two loads and I usually use them for three.
Biokleen Soy Toilet Scrub-
I like it for general maintainance cleaning but I'm not sure how it would perform on stains as (luckily) the people who lived here before me kept the bathroom clean and my roommates and I have been keeping it that way, too.
Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Bleach- Free and Clear-
Worked fantastically on a couple of spots on my white washclothes! I don't know how colorsafe it is but I LOVE that it doesn't smell like regular bleach.
Method Squeeky Clean Dryer Cloths- Sweet Water-
These are my new favorite laundry assistant! I grew up on soft water and didn't realize how much of an impact this had on my laundry until I moved away and I've been searching for something that would make my clothes feel more like I like them since I moved away for undergrad. I tried all sorts of laundry softeners and dryer sheets and hadn't had any luck until I used these lil' guys. You can use each one in at least two loads and I usually use them for three.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Well summer started off with a bang :)
I'm sitting in bed, at nine in the morning, drinking a cuppa coffee, and watching the Today Show. It is finally summer! While the weather outside would argue this point with me, I finally feel like the beginning of a break is upon me. This morning I got up, cleaned the kitchen, made a delicious edemame & Romano cheese omelet, and then I cleaned out my bathroom drawers and wiped down the counter. And pretty soon I think I'm going to take a nap :)
Then it's time to work on my dissertation and work out. This is probably how a lot of my days this summer are going to go and I am SO excited for that! I've been running around here and there and everywhere- Indiana for a wedding, Salem to work at the clinic for my dad, the beach for a women's retreat with my church girls, etc... But now it's mostly just little things here and there with breaks in between and lots of days like today.
My long-term goals for the summer (in no particular order):
1) Finish my dissertation
2) Write my internship application essays
3) Grow a successful patio garden
4) Accomplish all of my random house cleaning/maintenance projects
5) Complete at least 5 of my sewing projects
6) Figure out which sites I plan on applying to for internship
7) Conquer my allergies through an all-natural regimen
8) Meet Dave's family in Delaware
9) Pass my skills requirements for roller derby
10) Start a quality scrapbook
11) Help my mom design and create her ideal bedroom
12) Assist my dad in the garden in Salem so we can grow all the yummies we want to
13) Pick, and can or dry or freeze or jammify, as many fruits as possible
14) Go through my entire wardrobe and sell or donate whatever I don't really use
And I'm sure I'll add some more to this list but for now, this is all I can think of, LoL! Alright, time to work on my dissertation a bit and then take a nap (YAY!). I love you all :)
♥
Then it's time to work on my dissertation and work out. This is probably how a lot of my days this summer are going to go and I am SO excited for that! I've been running around here and there and everywhere- Indiana for a wedding, Salem to work at the clinic for my dad, the beach for a women's retreat with my church girls, etc... But now it's mostly just little things here and there with breaks in between and lots of days like today.
My long-term goals for the summer (in no particular order):
1) Finish my dissertation
2) Write my internship application essays
3) Grow a successful patio garden
4) Accomplish all of my random house cleaning/maintenance projects
5) Complete at least 5 of my sewing projects
6) Figure out which sites I plan on applying to for internship
7) Conquer my allergies through an all-natural regimen
8) Meet Dave's family in Delaware
9) Pass my skills requirements for roller derby
10) Start a quality scrapbook
11) Help my mom design and create her ideal bedroom
12) Assist my dad in the garden in Salem so we can grow all the yummies we want to
13) Pick, and can or dry or freeze or jammify, as many fruits as possible
14) Go through my entire wardrobe and sell or donate whatever I don't really use
And I'm sure I'll add some more to this list but for now, this is all I can think of, LoL! Alright, time to work on my dissertation a bit and then take a nap (YAY!). I love you all :)
♥
Sunday, May 9, 2010
A bit of a new direction :)
Well I haven't been blogging much lately for a number of reasons...
1) The last push from Spring Break into Summer Break is pretty brutal in school.
2) I'm becoming more active in my new church
3) Dave and I are building a beautiful relationship together
4) Between classes, finals, projects, practicum, assessments, work, church, and my dissertation, seriously, is there even time for anything else?
5) I feel like if I'm going to write a blog it should be worth the time and effort and it should be all large and polished and what-not.
So now that some of these things have become less (school stuff) and I'm getting used to other things (church stuff) and I'm letting go of cares about number 5, I've decided to start blogging about my latest kick. Being responsible. And by responsible I mean eco-conscious, environmentally careful, socially aware, ethically and morally convicted, constantly thinking about my own impact on the people and animals and things around me.
The biggest change I've noticed so far is in how I shop. I'm a shopaholic, I mean let's just call a spade a spade. I'm a terrible shopping madwoman. And honestly, that's actually never going to change because I just love it and I don't think it's a problem ('wait, isn't that what addicts say about their addictions?!'). But what I have changed is what I buy, or more aptly said, what I don't buy. I've been reading a lot of books and research websites that analyze all sorts of consumer goods and look at everything that goes into getting an item on a store shelf.
And while it is admittedly a bit more expensive up-front, I've decided that: if I can't afford to buy it correctly than I don't need to buy it at all, the irresponsible decisions cost me more in the long run, and if it's something that I can't find a good option for- would I really be able to enjoy the bad one? what do I really honestly need? is that something that I truly would die without?.
I'm not saying that everyone should do this. I'm not trying to scold or sound self-righteous. This is a choice that I have made based on countless hours of research into just what it is I buy and countless hours of self-analysis regarding why I do what I do and why I buy what I buy. While I would be the first one to encourage people to make steps towards being more green-minded, I'm making absolutely sure that I keep my finger-wagging to a minimum, (because honestly, I'll probably say something if you throw away a soda can when there's a recycling bin ten feet away).
My most recent thing has been to research not just the companies but also the ingredients of my make-up and other skin/hair products. I was absolutely disgusted by what I found out (like I literally almost threw up a little when I thought about what I've been putting on my body for it to soak up). Luckily I was almost out of a couple of things so I just purchased the next ones more responsibly but I did have to part with some fairly full bottles of lotion and some less than half-empty containers of make-up. But I didn't want to waste anything ('cause that would be a little anti-productive too) so I told my friends and family friends that I had this stuff and I told them why I was getting rid of it but then said that if they didn't care they could have it all, and I got rid of almost everything. Kind of a weird feeling- handing this stuff that I deemed too toxic for me over to my loved ones but I gave them the information and most of them said they really didn't care and thought it was silly to worry about 'something so little'. And like I said, I'm not going around telling other people they should do exactly what I'm doing. But anywho, that's the current kick I'm on. And I'm putting the link down here for anyone else who wants to check it out.
I'm going to start posting more often- probably usually on my latest green adventure or eco-discovery or tasty nugget of information.
I love you all!
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/fashion-beauty/care2-toxic-beauty-ingredients.html
1) The last push from Spring Break into Summer Break is pretty brutal in school.
2) I'm becoming more active in my new church
3) Dave and I are building a beautiful relationship together
4) Between classes, finals, projects, practicum, assessments, work, church, and my dissertation, seriously, is there even time for anything else?
5) I feel like if I'm going to write a blog it should be worth the time and effort and it should be all large and polished and what-not.
So now that some of these things have become less (school stuff) and I'm getting used to other things (church stuff) and I'm letting go of cares about number 5, I've decided to start blogging about my latest kick. Being responsible. And by responsible I mean eco-conscious, environmentally careful, socially aware, ethically and morally convicted, constantly thinking about my own impact on the people and animals and things around me.
The biggest change I've noticed so far is in how I shop. I'm a shopaholic, I mean let's just call a spade a spade. I'm a terrible shopping madwoman. And honestly, that's actually never going to change because I just love it and I don't think it's a problem ('wait, isn't that what addicts say about their addictions?!'). But what I have changed is what I buy, or more aptly said, what I don't buy. I've been reading a lot of books and research websites that analyze all sorts of consumer goods and look at everything that goes into getting an item on a store shelf.
And while it is admittedly a bit more expensive up-front, I've decided that: if I can't afford to buy it correctly than I don't need to buy it at all, the irresponsible decisions cost me more in the long run, and if it's something that I can't find a good option for- would I really be able to enjoy the bad one? what do I really honestly need? is that something that I truly would die without?.
I'm not saying that everyone should do this. I'm not trying to scold or sound self-righteous. This is a choice that I have made based on countless hours of research into just what it is I buy and countless hours of self-analysis regarding why I do what I do and why I buy what I buy. While I would be the first one to encourage people to make steps towards being more green-minded, I'm making absolutely sure that I keep my finger-wagging to a minimum, (because honestly, I'll probably say something if you throw away a soda can when there's a recycling bin ten feet away).
My most recent thing has been to research not just the companies but also the ingredients of my make-up and other skin/hair products. I was absolutely disgusted by what I found out (like I literally almost threw up a little when I thought about what I've been putting on my body for it to soak up). Luckily I was almost out of a couple of things so I just purchased the next ones more responsibly but I did have to part with some fairly full bottles of lotion and some less than half-empty containers of make-up. But I didn't want to waste anything ('cause that would be a little anti-productive too) so I told my friends and family friends that I had this stuff and I told them why I was getting rid of it but then said that if they didn't care they could have it all, and I got rid of almost everything. Kind of a weird feeling- handing this stuff that I deemed too toxic for me over to my loved ones but I gave them the information and most of them said they really didn't care and thought it was silly to worry about 'something so little'. And like I said, I'm not going around telling other people they should do exactly what I'm doing. But anywho, that's the current kick I'm on. And I'm putting the link down here for anyone else who wants to check it out.
I'm going to start posting more often- probably usually on my latest green adventure or eco-discovery or tasty nugget of information.
I love you all!
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/fashion-beauty/care2-toxic-beauty-ingredients.html
Friday, February 19, 2010
♥ Fantastic News ♥
So I figured this would be the easiest way to get the news to some of my closest friends and family. I have a new boyfriend. LoL, it may not sound like the biggest story of the year, but for me it is :) He's wonderful and I can't wait for you all to meet him! Here's a quick run-down of the facts ;)
His name is Dave and he is 25 years old. He has beautiful brown eyes and dark hair.
We met at a coffeehouse on Saturday and ended up talking for 4.5 hours.
He works as a social worker/case manager/house manager for a group home, for a company in Portland.
He's originally from Delaware and then moved to Indiana to attend Indiana Wesleyan University where he was an RA and graduated in 4 years with his BS in Psychology.
His brother moved out to Oregon and when Dave came to visit he fell in love with the area and moved out here, too.
He plays bass in his church's worship band and occasionally fills in with a lesson when his pastor is out of town.
He makes me laugh all the time because we have the exact same sense of humor and the same random way of tracking and changing subjects mid-conversation.
We both have Inner-Geeks and think it's adorable when the other's IG comes out and plays.
Long story short, he's amazing! :) Who want's to meet him first?
♥
His name is Dave and he is 25 years old. He has beautiful brown eyes and dark hair.
We met at a coffeehouse on Saturday and ended up talking for 4.5 hours.
He works as a social worker/case manager/house manager for a group home, for a company in Portland.
He's originally from Delaware and then moved to Indiana to attend Indiana Wesleyan University where he was an RA and graduated in 4 years with his BS in Psychology.
His brother moved out to Oregon and when Dave came to visit he fell in love with the area and moved out here, too.
He plays bass in his church's worship band and occasionally fills in with a lesson when his pastor is out of town.
He makes me laugh all the time because we have the exact same sense of humor and the same random way of tracking and changing subjects mid-conversation.
We both have Inner-Geeks and think it's adorable when the other's IG comes out and plays.
Long story short, he's amazing! :) Who want's to meet him first?
♥
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Slightly offended
I was watching Rachel Ray today while I was working out, (a show I normally don't have a problem with), but one of the audience Q&A participants asked a great question and I was horrified by the response from the host and co-host.
She stood up and basically said, "Well, due to some problems I've had in the past, I've decided to start saving myself for marriage from now on. *mixed applause* My problem is, when I tell guys I'm getting to know about this, they either think it's a joke or I'm just making them work for it. How can I get them to take me seriously? Because I am."
The hosts, at first, were supportive of this idea, "Well good for you!" But soon they started laughing and were like, "Yeah, I can see how that would be a problem. No guy is going to just believe that off the bat. I mean, good for you by waiting to see if they're really invested, if they really care about you than they should wait for you."
And then things went downhill, "But maybe you two should watch '40 Year Old Virgin' and, like they do the whole 20 date thing, maybe you could do that. Like after 20 dates or after 3 months, you two could *innuendo eyebrows* you know. Then you'd know that they were actually invested in you. But after like a few months, you know, to give them light at the end of the tunnel." *laughter* "Yeah, give them a little something to look forward to."
That was the end of that Q&A.
Seriously?! I felt like they were saying that if a guy hangs around long enough, regardless of the emotions, you should sleep with him because he's earned it. WTH? Something just struck me wrong about this conversation on a 'preparations for Valentine's day' episode of a daytime talk show. A guy should be able to earn sex- or a girl should be able to, for that matter. Personally, I feel like sex is something to be shared, not earned by one party from another. What is this world coming to? Plus, is it only about sex? Shouldn't there be more to look forward to in a relationship than sex? Don't get me wrong, I think that it's a very important part of a loving marriage. But there needs to be more than that... right? Maybe I'm just ignorant about this. I hold no claims as to the knowledge of married life or even dating-with-sex life. I guess it's just my humble opinion; take it as you will.
She stood up and basically said, "Well, due to some problems I've had in the past, I've decided to start saving myself for marriage from now on. *mixed applause* My problem is, when I tell guys I'm getting to know about this, they either think it's a joke or I'm just making them work for it. How can I get them to take me seriously? Because I am."
The hosts, at first, were supportive of this idea, "Well good for you!" But soon they started laughing and were like, "Yeah, I can see how that would be a problem. No guy is going to just believe that off the bat. I mean, good for you by waiting to see if they're really invested, if they really care about you than they should wait for you."
And then things went downhill, "But maybe you two should watch '40 Year Old Virgin' and, like they do the whole 20 date thing, maybe you could do that. Like after 20 dates or after 3 months, you two could *innuendo eyebrows* you know. Then you'd know that they were actually invested in you. But after like a few months, you know, to give them light at the end of the tunnel." *laughter* "Yeah, give them a little something to look forward to."
That was the end of that Q&A.
Seriously?! I felt like they were saying that if a guy hangs around long enough, regardless of the emotions, you should sleep with him because he's earned it. WTH? Something just struck me wrong about this conversation on a 'preparations for Valentine's day' episode of a daytime talk show. A guy should be able to earn sex- or a girl should be able to, for that matter. Personally, I feel like sex is something to be shared, not earned by one party from another. What is this world coming to? Plus, is it only about sex? Shouldn't there be more to look forward to in a relationship than sex? Don't get me wrong, I think that it's a very important part of a loving marriage. But there needs to be more than that... right? Maybe I'm just ignorant about this. I hold no claims as to the knowledge of married life or even dating-with-sex life. I guess it's just my humble opinion; take it as you will.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Just thought I'd share...
So my devotional today really touched my heart and it made me so happy I just wanted to share it with all of you. Here it is:
Are You Exhausted Spiritually?
Exhaustion means that our vital energies are completely worn out and spent. Spiritual exhaustion is never the result of sin, but of service. Whether or not you experience exhaustion will depend on where you get your supplies. Jesus said to Peter, "Feed My sheep," but He gave him nothing with which to feed them (John 21:17). The process of being made broken bread and poured-out wine means that you have to be the nourishment for other people's souls until they learn to feed on God. They must drain you completely- to the very last drop. But be careful to replenish your supply, or you will quickly be utterly exhausted. Until others learn to draw on the life of the Lord Jesus directly, they will have to draw on His life through you. You must literally be their source of supply, until they learn to take their nourishment from God. We owe it to God to be our best for His lambs and sheep, as well as for Him. Have you delivered yourself over to exhaustion because of the way you have been serving God? If so, then renew and rekindle your desires and affections. Examine your reasons for service. Is your source based on your own understanding or is it grounded on the redemption of Jesus Christ? Continually look back to the foundation of your love and affection and remember where your Source of power lies. You have no right to complain, "O Lord, I am so exhausted." He saved and sanctified you to exhaust you. Be exhausted for God, but remember that He is your supply. "All my springs are in you" (Psalm 87:7).
The verse on the side was: The everlasting God...neither faints nor is weary. Isiah 40:28.
This reminds me to work harder and harder for my clients in order to show them God's love through me. For some of my clients, I am the most stabilizing force they have ever known and we only meet for an hour a week. (That is meant compassionately, not arrogantly.) I am their window to a better world where someone cares about them and is actively invested in seeing them improve. And it takes a lot of emotional and mental strength to sit there with them and contain their chaos and try to help them make sense of it. But I love it. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is what He has called me to do. So exhaustion is something I should view more as a reward than as failure on my part. I'm tired because I'm working hard to serve, not because I am bad at my job or am 'just a student'. I welcome exhaustion- bring it!
I ♥ my life. And I ♥ you :)
Are You Exhausted Spiritually?
Exhaustion means that our vital energies are completely worn out and spent. Spiritual exhaustion is never the result of sin, but of service. Whether or not you experience exhaustion will depend on where you get your supplies. Jesus said to Peter, "Feed My sheep," but He gave him nothing with which to feed them (John 21:17). The process of being made broken bread and poured-out wine means that you have to be the nourishment for other people's souls until they learn to feed on God. They must drain you completely- to the very last drop. But be careful to replenish your supply, or you will quickly be utterly exhausted. Until others learn to draw on the life of the Lord Jesus directly, they will have to draw on His life through you. You must literally be their source of supply, until they learn to take their nourishment from God. We owe it to God to be our best for His lambs and sheep, as well as for Him. Have you delivered yourself over to exhaustion because of the way you have been serving God? If so, then renew and rekindle your desires and affections. Examine your reasons for service. Is your source based on your own understanding or is it grounded on the redemption of Jesus Christ? Continually look back to the foundation of your love and affection and remember where your Source of power lies. You have no right to complain, "O Lord, I am so exhausted." He saved and sanctified you to exhaust you. Be exhausted for God, but remember that He is your supply. "All my springs are in you" (Psalm 87:7).
The verse on the side was: The everlasting God...neither faints nor is weary. Isiah 40:28.
This reminds me to work harder and harder for my clients in order to show them God's love through me. For some of my clients, I am the most stabilizing force they have ever known and we only meet for an hour a week. (That is meant compassionately, not arrogantly.) I am their window to a better world where someone cares about them and is actively invested in seeing them improve. And it takes a lot of emotional and mental strength to sit there with them and contain their chaos and try to help them make sense of it. But I love it. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is what He has called me to do. So exhaustion is something I should view more as a reward than as failure on my part. I'm tired because I'm working hard to serve, not because I am bad at my job or am 'just a student'. I welcome exhaustion- bring it!
I ♥ my life. And I ♥ you :)
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