Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thank You!
A huge thank you to those of you who participated in the bloggy book giveaway! I really enjoyed reading your reviews!
I'll post one myself sometime soon, I promise.
I meant to do it this week, but somehow as I set up the timing of the giveaway I failed to remember that I have a bachelorette party tonight (yup, #2), a rehearsal dinner tomorrow night, and a wedding on Saturday. So I'm a little short on time!
Be sure to check back tomorrow for the bloggy winners!
I'll post one myself sometime soon, I promise.
I meant to do it this week, but somehow as I set up the timing of the giveaway I failed to remember that I have a bachelorette party tonight (yup, #2), a rehearsal dinner tomorrow night, and a wedding on Saturday. So I'm a little short on time!
Be sure to check back tomorrow for the bloggy winners!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Messy Spiritualtiy Reviews
The reviews are starting to pour in!CJ on Amazon (see Christopher)
Julie at One Sweet Life
Bill at Logozzo blog
Jaye P at Thoughts From Adulthood AND an Amazon Review (see pajama reader)
Lynn at Rohal Call
Erin VT on Amazon (see Erin)
Jamie at Life With A Jamie-Twist
Jenni at Swimming In Sugar And Spice
And my Grandma posted this little review in a blog comment recently: WHAT'S SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE ON STEROIDS!!! I loved it.
I'll update this post as more come in. Please leave me a comment as soon as you post your review so that I can link it, too! The deadline to be eligible for the prizes is 11:59 PM (not 12 noon!) Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 30th.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
B-Town
Countdown to moving back to Bloomington: 11 days!
Josh and I have been talking a lot lately about what types of things we're looking forward to getting back to when we move. Don't get me wrong, we've enjoyed our time here in Michigan. It has been an excellent (albiet busy) summer and a great work experience for Josh. In addition to seeing friends and family, we've enjoyed getting to know this small town. And the LAKE... oh the lake! I've really loved living so close to Lake Michigan. It is JUST beautiful.
But here are some things I'm especially looking forward to about our move back, in no particular order...
10. Our Own Apartment. We've lived in a furnished rental house for the last eleven+ weeks. While it has been mostly functional, it just isn't the nicest place by any stretch of the imagination. Our place in Bloomington has central air, normal paint jobs, and doesn't have a window in the shower. Not to mention it just seems more like "home." Last summer we did some decorating and painting to make it feel homey. And it does!
9. Our Own Stuff. Going along with #10, we're definitely looking forward to using the dishes we picked out, sitting on the new (to us) furniture we love, and watching a tv that a. doesn't require a bobby pin jammed into a hole to turn on, and b. is big enough to be able to see baseballs, numbers on player jerseys, and stuff like that. This one is quite high on Josh's list!
8. Our Own Bed. This one gets its own number! The bed here is fine, but it tends to roll us into the middle every night. All 3 of us - Riley included. Our bed in Bloomington is C-O-M-F-Y.
I do realize that #8-10 are a little superficial, but I'm telling you using other people's stuff for a summer gets a little old!
7. A Nearby Starbucks. Actually, there are like 8 in town. Here? Only one, but it is in a grocery store I never shop at, so it doesn't count. In Bloomington there is a drive-through 'bucks right around the corner.
6. Hobby Lobby. Not that I've had time for scrapbooking this summer! But I heart Hobby Lobby (especially when they have 1/2 off sales! And we happen to have one located just a mile away.
5. Kelley Partner's Club. Along with my friend Lora, I help lead this group. Basically, those of us who are along for the ride, B-School-wise, band together and plan activities, share tips on the area, and make friends! Since Josh can get pretty busy with school stuff, it is great to have things to do in the evenings. I made a number of amazing friends last year, and, as I've mentioned, I can't wait to see them again soon!
4. Our Church. We go to a great church in Bloomington! I appreciate that while they're passionate about the gospel and true life change, they also really encourage being active in the community we live in. We enjoyed going to young couples Sunday School and making friends through Sherwood Oaks. I participated in a Beth Moore Bible Study that I really enjoyed, too. We're looking forward to getting more involved this fall.
3. Fall Colors. I've lived in Michigan (well-known for color tours) all my life but I don't think you can beat the brilliant colors of fall in southern Indiana. We even live close to a little artist colony that is only somewhat tourist trappy. But it is marvelous in the fall. Plus that area is known for covered bridges... beautiful!
2. Bloomington Restaurants. MMM... I'm definitely looking forward to getting back to some of our favorite places! College towns, at least in my experience, do a good job with offering a variety of great food options, from pizza to international fare. Plus there are quite a few places we didn't make it to last year that I'm looking forward to trying, like FARM and Little Zagreb's. HINT HINT, JOSH! :)
1. Welcoming New Families to Bloomington. Last year we were totally welcomed, suppored, and befriended almost immediately after setting foot in the area. I'm excited to turn around and do the same, now that I'm an "expert" at this Bloomington, B-School thing. I know the lingo, what to expect the first year, where to shop, and where to take my car in for repairs. The first year students (and families) will be arriving soon, and I'm totally excited to get to know them and help make their transition just a little easier.
Josh and I have been talking a lot lately about what types of things we're looking forward to getting back to when we move. Don't get me wrong, we've enjoyed our time here in Michigan. It has been an excellent (albiet busy) summer and a great work experience for Josh. In addition to seeing friends and family, we've enjoyed getting to know this small town. And the LAKE... oh the lake! I've really loved living so close to Lake Michigan. It is JUST beautiful.
But here are some things I'm especially looking forward to about our move back, in no particular order...
10. Our Own Apartment. We've lived in a furnished rental house for the last eleven+ weeks. While it has been mostly functional, it just isn't the nicest place by any stretch of the imagination. Our place in Bloomington has central air, normal paint jobs, and doesn't have a window in the shower. Not to mention it just seems more like "home." Last summer we did some decorating and painting to make it feel homey. And it does!
9. Our Own Stuff. Going along with #10, we're definitely looking forward to using the dishes we picked out, sitting on the new (to us) furniture we love, and watching a tv that a. doesn't require a bobby pin jammed into a hole to turn on, and b. is big enough to be able to see baseballs, numbers on player jerseys, and stuff like that. This one is quite high on Josh's list!
8. Our Own Bed. This one gets its own number! The bed here is fine, but it tends to roll us into the middle every night. All 3 of us - Riley included. Our bed in Bloomington is C-O-M-F-Y.
I do realize that #8-10 are a little superficial, but I'm telling you using other people's stuff for a summer gets a little old!
7. A Nearby Starbucks. Actually, there are like 8 in town. Here? Only one, but it is in a grocery store I never shop at, so it doesn't count. In Bloomington there is a drive-through 'bucks right around the corner.
6. Hobby Lobby. Not that I've had time for scrapbooking this summer! But I heart Hobby Lobby (especially when they have 1/2 off sales! And we happen to have one located just a mile away.
5. Kelley Partner's Club. Along with my friend Lora, I help lead this group. Basically, those of us who are along for the ride, B-School-wise, band together and plan activities, share tips on the area, and make friends! Since Josh can get pretty busy with school stuff, it is great to have things to do in the evenings. I made a number of amazing friends last year, and, as I've mentioned, I can't wait to see them again soon!
4. Our Church. We go to a great church in Bloomington! I appreciate that while they're passionate about the gospel and true life change, they also really encourage being active in the community we live in. We enjoyed going to young couples Sunday School and making friends through Sherwood Oaks. I participated in a Beth Moore Bible Study that I really enjoyed, too. We're looking forward to getting more involved this fall.
3. Fall Colors. I've lived in Michigan (well-known for color tours) all my life but I don't think you can beat the brilliant colors of fall in southern Indiana. We even live close to a little artist colony that is only somewhat tourist trappy. But it is marvelous in the fall. Plus that area is known for covered bridges... beautiful!
2. Bloomington Restaurants. MMM... I'm definitely looking forward to getting back to some of our favorite places! College towns, at least in my experience, do a good job with offering a variety of great food options, from pizza to international fare. Plus there are quite a few places we didn't make it to last year that I'm looking forward to trying, like FARM and Little Zagreb's. HINT HINT, JOSH! :)
1. Welcoming New Families to Bloomington. Last year we were totally welcomed, suppored, and befriended almost immediately after setting foot in the area. I'm excited to turn around and do the same, now that I'm an "expert" at this Bloomington, B-School thing. I know the lingo, what to expect the first year, where to shop, and where to take my car in for repairs. The first year students (and families) will be arriving soon, and I'm totally excited to get to know them and help make their transition just a little easier.
Monday, July 28, 2008
You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello
In just under two weeks we're moving. Again. And as I contemplate move #6 since the age of 20 I'm reminded just how hard it is to leave friends behind.
I have been richly blessed with incredible friendships these past few years. As I've transitioned away from college in Ann Arbor, into married life in Michigan, and then back to pseudo-college life again in Bloomington. In a variety of locations and situations, God has continued to give me so many people to enjoy and spend time with. I'm extremely thankful.
I can't say that we've put down too many roots here in St. Joe, but at the moment we're within an hour and a half away from quite a few friends and family members. Just this past weekend we spent a full day with the Buurstra's, then most of the next day with the Van Tuinens. We loved it! And then tonight we met my parents and grandma in Saugatuck for dinner (and to give Chloe back to them) and enjoyed getting see them again, too.
It will be a little sad to move 5 hours down the road again.
And yet I'm totally excited to see my IU friends again. Ecstatic. I really miss those people and so enjoyed making a bunch of new friendships over the course of the last school year.
It just makes me sad that there are so many people quite dear to me that I don't get to see very often. There are so many people I know I'd continue to be close to if they only lived nearby. I'm not great at keeping in touch, either. Life gets busy and I tend to be a "here and now" type of girl. And yet it hurts to lose touch with people I was once close to. That has certainly happened with college friends, and even one of my bridesmaids. Is it just a part of life?
What do you think? How do you deal with change, when it comes in the form of friendships? How do you keep in touch with old friends? Am I alone in this struggle?
Hello goodbye hello goodbye
I have been richly blessed with incredible friendships these past few years. As I've transitioned away from college in Ann Arbor, into married life in Michigan, and then back to pseudo-college life again in Bloomington. In a variety of locations and situations, God has continued to give me so many people to enjoy and spend time with. I'm extremely thankful.
I can't say that we've put down too many roots here in St. Joe, but at the moment we're within an hour and a half away from quite a few friends and family members. Just this past weekend we spent a full day with the Buurstra's, then most of the next day with the Van Tuinens. We loved it! And then tonight we met my parents and grandma in Saugatuck for dinner (and to give Chloe back to them) and enjoyed getting see them again, too.
It will be a little sad to move 5 hours down the road again.
And yet I'm totally excited to see my IU friends again. Ecstatic. I really miss those people and so enjoyed making a bunch of new friendships over the course of the last school year.
It just makes me sad that there are so many people quite dear to me that I don't get to see very often. There are so many people I know I'd continue to be close to if they only lived nearby. I'm not great at keeping in touch, either. Life gets busy and I tend to be a "here and now" type of girl. And yet it hurts to lose touch with people I was once close to. That has certainly happened with college friends, and even one of my bridesmaids. Is it just a part of life?
What do you think? How do you deal with change, when it comes in the form of friendships? How do you keep in touch with old friends? Am I alone in this struggle?
Hello goodbye hello goodbye
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Yep, I Bought Them
After some bloggy encouragement, I went ahead and purchased them today when I was at the mall with my friend Erin.
... and I'm now the proud owner of 5 pairs of the same shoe.
Woo hoo!
*** And to those of you participating in the bloggy book giveaway, be sure to post your review by Wednesday, July 30 to be eligible for prizes! ***
Friday, July 25, 2008
Rebecca's Shower #2
I had a TON of fun last night celebrating with Rebecca, some other cousins, and some of her friends. Her sister Elizabeth, our cousin Christina, and I teamed up to host a combination bachelorette party/lingerie shower, and the mix was a bunch of fun.
I mean, it had all the ingredients for a great party:
1. A ridiculous headband for the bride-to-be
2. Dinner out at San Chez
3. Sangria
4. Marriage advice
5. Fun and frilly gifts
6. A pink cake
7. Humiliating shower games (done in the comfort of an otherwise empty house!)
... and (8) an enthusiastic rendition of Goodbye Earl on the way back from dinner?
Nothing says best wishes for a long and happy life together like this song, does it? And yet somehow it was one of the more fun moments we had all evening. A great song to blast over a car stereo with the windows down...
Did you catch Liz - maid of honor - middle of the back seat - belting it out with gusto? Awesome.
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