LIST-lessness

I cant sleep. I feel uneasy about something... not quite sure what. Its the worst being exhausted and not being able to fall asleep. I don't actually want to go to bed, which is odd because I love my bed. I don't know where this bed issue came from, so I am camping out on my couch (again) and hoping a 'go to' movie will lull me to sleep. It hasn't so far, so I decided to write a few things down. I think this insomnia was also perpetuated by Pinterest... my brain is racing with decorating ideas and projects!

Projects:

-Refinish bench

-Spray paint porch light & install

-Make Christmas tree skirt

-Make seasonal garland

-Print pictures for frame wall

-Bar stool seat covers

Need to do:

-Tailor

-Organize papers

-Craigslist wine racks and grill

-Dry cleaning

Ok. Now I can hopefully stop thinking about that.

Life has been busy lately. Both in a good and bad way. I am overwhelmed with things. I have a hard time giving my anxieties, fears and worries to God-- which would obviously help me sleep if I could. I dont know where this anxiety comes from, but its nothing new. A lot of it is probably self inflicted. Have I done my part to ward off these worries or have I been procrastinating and lazy? I know having a messy place and long 'To Do' list only makes my life feel more out of control. I am really trying to find the root of this problem because its something I can change and I think it would make me a better person to do so. I need to take control of my mind because "contentment is more of a shift in attitude than a change in circumstances." That quote is from my bible study book 'Calm my Anxious Heart' by Linda Dillow and it has really stuck with me. I am a positive person. I see the stars instead of the mud. So I am rooting around to see what the real issue is. Thats a scary thought, but it's necessary so I can be the best me. More importantly, so I can glorify God in everything I do!

Good reference lists-

Prescription for contentment:

-Never allow yourself to complain about anything - not even the weather

-Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else

-Never compare your lot with another's

-Never allow yourself to wish this or that has been otherwise

-Never dwell on tomorrow - remember that [tomorrow] is God's, not ours

Practice:

-Choosing to give our anxieties to God

-Choosing to pray specifically

-Choosing to be thankful

-Choosing to dwell on the positive

Growth

Lately, I have had to go out of my comfort zone in a lot of areas in my life. While it's not fun and scary, I think you grow the most when you are out of your comfort zone. This was not self imposed, it was circumstantial, but I never could have imagined where its taken me... and wouldn't change it for anything. I am so happy and overwhelmingly blessed.

God does provide.
He is the light in our darkness.
He is our hope!

I pray I can continue to be a faithful follower because He deserves the glory!

Hello Fall!

Growing up in a place with 4 seasons, I have really come to love each one for what it offers. Winter brings snow, the holidays and cozy fires. Spring brings new life, renewed energy and flowers. Summer brought no school, vacations and the pool. Fall brings cooler weather, the leaves changing and football. Most importantly, one of my favorite things about Fall are the ACORNS! I know most people view them as a hassle, but they are like little packages of joy to me. :)


Truthfully, they were usually the only thing that made our family torture... I mean, raking days somewhat tolerable. Well, the acorns and probably jumping in the leaves. :) Thanks to my neighbors beautiful, but ginormous oak tree (RIP Judy and sadly her Oak Tree) that kindly shed its leaves and acorns ALL over our yard, raking was a never ending job come September. Its funny how I never truly appreciated the leaves changing when I lived there and now its the thing I miss the most.


Anyways, I'm not sure what it is about them that I love so much. Maybe it's their cute little hats or that they are a symbol of good luck and prosperity. While those points add to my affinity of acorns, I know this love stems from my uncontrollable love for stepping on crunchy things. Oh the joy of stepping on an acorn and hearing that perfect crunch! I turn into a little kid on Christmas. I smile every time and my heart is flooded with a little rush of pure happiness. I look like a fool when I am out walking because I will go out of my way to step on every one I see, making me look like a spastic dancer of sorts. Sorry for ruining your food squirrels, but I can't help myself!


So far this Fall, I've had to work a little harder at keeping my spirit alive as I prepare for the dead winter months ahead. As the weather begins turning cold and everyone starts burrowing in their homes, I am learning to love fall, alone. It's been a harder transition than I anticipated, but I know God has great things planned for me this Fall. I've already bought my first mum (above), made a fall-ish wreath (details in a later post) and have two trips home planned! I cant wait to make my first batch of chili, enjoy my pumpkin spiced candles, pull on my favorite fleece and walk in the crisp, cool morning air. I am making incredible new friends in my community group and in November, I am walking 60 miles to fight breast cancer. Yep, I'd say its going to be a wonderful time of year, but right now and in those tough moments in between, I'm so glad I have those little reminders of life's simple joys.


Fall tree image found here
Acorn image found here

A little nugget...

"The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer somebody else up." - Mark Twain

Pay It Forward

I was scanning Netflix the other day for some 'oldies but goodies' and came across "Pay It Forward" with Haley Joel Osment, who to this day still weirds me out. Creep factor aside, I was thinking about the movie and what a novel idea 'paying it forward' really is. If you haven't seen the movie, basically a troubled boy is inspired by a school assignment.

The assignment: think of something to change the world and put it into action. Osment's character comes up with the idea of not paying a favor back, but forward. Essentially, repaying good deeds with good deeds. So simple!

This got me thinking, which is sometimes a scary thing, that if it's such a simple concept, why can't I apply this to my everyday life. It was actually harder than I thought because I didn't want it to be something that required a lot of me (something that came naturally and wasn't forced), but that would make a difference in someone else's life... no matter how big or small.

My idea came to me the other day during yet another 100+ degree day. Where I live, there is a lot of wealth and a lot of poverty. So it isn't too shocking when I see people going through our recycling bins for cans and bottles to collect for the refund money. There was a man out collecting, but he practically had to climb into the bins for the few cans in each of them.

Then came my 'ah ha' moment... why not just keep my cans separate so people don't have to dig through the bin?

The plan...

I love recycling, so I already had half of this 'project' in the bag. :) All I did was add a command hook to the side of my personal recycling bin to easily gather my cans.

What makes this whole idea work, is that I have a serious Diet Dr. Pepper/Diet Coke addiction... which means LOTS of cans! Hello, my name is Erin and I have a coke problem (the liquid kind, not the powder). Case in point...

As soon as my 'can bag' is full, I set it outside next to the recycling bin. Easy! I like to think that the 'collectors' might consider it winning the can lottery that day and who doesn't want to win the lottery!?!?

I don't know if this change will make a difference, but it's worth a try. Sure it's a small gesture, but hopefully one that could make someones day a little brighter. What gesture have you made for someone else lately?

007

I LOVE flowers.

Growing up we always had fresh flowers in our house. Even now, when I go home I can always expect to be greeted by loving arms at the door and beautiful flowers in my room. Naturally when I moved into my current apartment, I knew flowers were one thing that would make it feel more like home to me.

So, off I went to buy some impatiens that would greet me at the door and welcome me home. I didn't take a picture, but they looked great and all was right with the world.

Fast forward a few weeks. Things quickly start going downhill. The buds weren't opening, leaves were shriveling and they looked pathetic. Despite my best efforts, I had to let them go to plant heaven. Normally, after a loss like this, people would give up and move on... but not me! I looked at the cold hard facts and determined that it must have been the cheap Wal-Mart soil I bought because, well, it's Wal-Mart.

Lesson learned. This time I decided to go to Ruibals, a well known and experienced nursery in town, to buy good soil and well bred flowers. I. Was. Excited. Once I got home, I braved the heat to plant my happy flowers and probably even watered them with the sweat dripping off of my brow. That's actual love being poured out into these plants! They were so happy and so was I.

Yep, you guessed it. A short time later, I realized James Bond and I more in common than I cared to admit... a license to kill. Here are my plants (Round 2) today:

My once cute, window basket.

My once pretty, stair pots.
(The last one has given me some hope because the greenery is still alive.)

I haven't killed everything though, here is my pride and joy...

My basil!

I really love flowers, but I plan to try more 'hardy" plants next time... probably something similar to the solo survivor above. I like to believe that my 2nd round flowers died of heat exhaustion and not neglect (which wasn't the case... maybe too much love?) I just hope I don't have to face the reality that I might not be cut out to be a plant owner.

I'll post updated pictures of my third attempt as soon as I get back to Ruibals. I need the experts on this one, so I know I'll be in good hands there. Third time's a charm right?!?

Until then, any tips or tricks to keep plants alive? Yes, I know to water them!

Pump Up the Jam...

During this long hot summer, I've been spending plenty of time inside. This inside time has given me lots of time to unpack, despite having moved 5 months ago. Actually, its more like paper purging because I think everything is important so I keep it all. I am improving, I made a big step and stopped getting bank statements... those were the worst! Anyways, music has been keeping me company as I trudge through my paper trail dating back 4 years. Wow, that's an embarrassing confession, but as Usher so eloquently puts it, "These are my confessions..."

Cleaning is my jam and so are solo dance parties. Here are my summer tunes:

Eli Young Band- Crazy Girl

Taylor Swift- Sparks Fly

Coldplay- Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall

Mat Kearney- Runaway

Florence and The Machine- Dog Days Are Over

Randy Rogers Band- Too Late For Goodbye

Miranda Lambert- Heart Like Mine

Snow Patrol- Just Say Yes

Tegan and Sara- Fix You Up

Mumford & Sons- Awake My Soul

Some old. Some new. Nothing very crazy, but mostly these are the songs that seem to fit the random moods I've been in this summer. Hope you find some new music to enjoy!