There is something about a small town that just instantly feels like home. I drive into every evening with a smile on my face. There are people out walking, running, and riding bikes. There are people working on their houses, pulling in after a long days work, and people buying groceries at the store.
Yes, these are all things that you can see anywhere in the US, but when Reedsburg they are all together, in a small area it just means so much more. Beautiful landscapes - awesome. Coastal views - awesome. Live entertainment everywhere - awesome. People like me enjoying life in an area just because they are living - THE BEST!
I think that is what makes a small town the best... people don't need all sorts of entertaining things to fill their time. They don't need the mountains to feel like they are living life. If they are around people they love in a place the feels like a home, then they are full of life.
Go Small Towns!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Stuck!
Sometimes I feel like we are all stuck. Stuck in a place that never sees change. We all want to change, we all want to have something new and better, but we get stuck. Three situations come to mind...
First, when we are in high school and college we have this idea of what our lives will look like when we are twenty something (I don't think we ever look to our thirties because that is just "not going to happen" in our minds). We idealize what we want to have happen in our lives. We want to have a career that we've worked towards. We want to get married and have a family, we want to have a house and decorate and take care of it. We want to go on trips and travel the world. We want to have a good time in everything that we do - most of us want some sort of adventure. Then... we get stuck. We think of all these things and somewhat work towards them, but do we REALLY try as hard as we can to obtain them? Do we really go on trips? Do we have the perfect little family WHEN we want? Do we pick the career that will excite us, or by the end of college do we pick the one that we started with or feel comfortable with? I think the key is to look at each day/week/month/year and think, "Am I doing what I love and dreamed of?" In my humble opinion, if you have accomplished half of what you dreamed, then you are doing pretty good. And if you have only accomplished half, then let God lead you to the rest - life's not over yet!
We also get stuck in "glass cage of emotions!" Meaning, we feel what we feel and its hard for us to shake. Over the years, I have learned that I am a competitive person. It is strange and it sounds terrible, but I don't always want things for the right reason. I want to be the first, the best and sometimes the only one that is going through something. For instance, in teaching, if I hear a student say that they LOVE another teacher that teaches the same thing as me, then I get competitive and try to make my classroom the best. With friendships we want to have a group of friends that are fun and have a good time, and when we don't have that, we try for better. We leave the group we were with and try to make new friends that show off that we are fun and have a good time. But the truth is, the competitiveness that I feel - its jealousy. Its coveting. Its changing who we are to fit something or someone else. When this happens, feelings get sacrificed. People get hurt. Most times it is not intentional, but it happens. So my advice - check to see if your image is that of Christ's and then love who he made you to be. If that means you are competitive, then use it to become the best person God designed you to be. Use it be the best at loving everyone. Use it to be the best at forgiving and forgetting so that you can enjoy every moment.
Finally, I think we get stuck as to what to do next. Do we move forward and let go? Do we take a nap instead of doing paperwork? Do we purchase that item or should we continue to save? Do we change what our life path is to be something radically different? The crazy thing is that there is not a single answer that fits. The key is prayer. If you pray about things and then feel like that is still the way to go - then go. If you pray about it and something is still not right, then wait. If you know that you are a lazy procrastinator, then do paperwork despite the desire to avoid it. Be in prayer so that you feel like you know what your life is and where it is going, and what you are doing is in check. With that, what could go wrong?
The intent of this blog originally started out as a frustration with another person in how they act. But through writing this, I am realizing that what I have - in Christ - my life, my family, my husband, my job, my emotions, my happiness, are what I have. Not what this other person has. I know that my life in Christ is going down the right path. That is all I need. I am not stuck. I am free in the Spirit and where it leads me. So get unstuck today! I don't think anyone reads this, but just try it! Get unstuck in something you feel is holding you back.
There is my fifteen cents worth (it was a little more than just two!)... Happy New Year!
First, when we are in high school and college we have this idea of what our lives will look like when we are twenty something (I don't think we ever look to our thirties because that is just "not going to happen" in our minds). We idealize what we want to have happen in our lives. We want to have a career that we've worked towards. We want to get married and have a family, we want to have a house and decorate and take care of it. We want to go on trips and travel the world. We want to have a good time in everything that we do - most of us want some sort of adventure. Then... we get stuck. We think of all these things and somewhat work towards them, but do we REALLY try as hard as we can to obtain them? Do we really go on trips? Do we have the perfect little family WHEN we want? Do we pick the career that will excite us, or by the end of college do we pick the one that we started with or feel comfortable with? I think the key is to look at each day/week/month/year and think, "Am I doing what I love and dreamed of?" In my humble opinion, if you have accomplished half of what you dreamed, then you are doing pretty good. And if you have only accomplished half, then let God lead you to the rest - life's not over yet!
We also get stuck in "glass cage of emotions!" Meaning, we feel what we feel and its hard for us to shake. Over the years, I have learned that I am a competitive person. It is strange and it sounds terrible, but I don't always want things for the right reason. I want to be the first, the best and sometimes the only one that is going through something. For instance, in teaching, if I hear a student say that they LOVE another teacher that teaches the same thing as me, then I get competitive and try to make my classroom the best. With friendships we want to have a group of friends that are fun and have a good time, and when we don't have that, we try for better. We leave the group we were with and try to make new friends that show off that we are fun and have a good time. But the truth is, the competitiveness that I feel - its jealousy. Its coveting. Its changing who we are to fit something or someone else. When this happens, feelings get sacrificed. People get hurt. Most times it is not intentional, but it happens. So my advice - check to see if your image is that of Christ's and then love who he made you to be. If that means you are competitive, then use it to become the best person God designed you to be. Use it be the best at loving everyone. Use it to be the best at forgiving and forgetting so that you can enjoy every moment.
Finally, I think we get stuck as to what to do next. Do we move forward and let go? Do we take a nap instead of doing paperwork? Do we purchase that item or should we continue to save? Do we change what our life path is to be something radically different? The crazy thing is that there is not a single answer that fits. The key is prayer. If you pray about things and then feel like that is still the way to go - then go. If you pray about it and something is still not right, then wait. If you know that you are a lazy procrastinator, then do paperwork despite the desire to avoid it. Be in prayer so that you feel like you know what your life is and where it is going, and what you are doing is in check. With that, what could go wrong?
The intent of this blog originally started out as a frustration with another person in how they act. But through writing this, I am realizing that what I have - in Christ - my life, my family, my husband, my job, my emotions, my happiness, are what I have. Not what this other person has. I know that my life in Christ is going down the right path. That is all I need. I am not stuck. I am free in the Spirit and where it leads me. So get unstuck today! I don't think anyone reads this, but just try it! Get unstuck in something you feel is holding you back.
There is my fifteen cents worth (it was a little more than just two!)... Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Living on the Edge!
Oh Steven Tyler... I sometimes wonder why artists write the things they do. What made Aerosmith write a song about there being something wrong with the world today, and therefore we are living on the edge. This is what my song about "living on the edge" would be about:
School is about to start. I have to return next Monday. My summer is staring me right in the face - what did you accomplish? Well, thanks to my mom, I can say that I got some craft projects done!! I also did some work for school (granted it was within the last three days). My edge is that there is three days of summer left, and what will I do with the time? Will I be ready for school and students? Will I be the most tired I've been in a long time? (In the best Steven Tyler scream I can muster...) Living on the edge!
Tomorrow is our triathlon. My first triathlon ever, and I'm feeling nerves that I thought would at least hold out until tonight when I won't be able to sleep. I think I'm just excited to see if all my hard work this summer will pay off and help me to finish in less than 2 hours. When I train for things like this, I try to set a goal so that I can have a focus and keep up the work. However, now that it is less than 24 hours away (hence the edge), I am afraid that I will fall short. Will I make it? Living on the edge!
We are going to have a house in a week, and I need to start packing. I am so excited to have our own place! God really has blessed us this year with our jobs and our situation. I almost feel like we don't deserve to have our own place! We are just two young kids trying to be adults... what is that? Packing also makes the reality sink in a little more - we are going to be homeowners and we better get moving, literally! Living on the edge!
Those three items put me on the edge - the edge of my comfort zone. What defines the edge? Why do I feel anxious about these wonderful things? God tells us, "Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6
This is what I will do - no more living on the edge!
School is about to start. I have to return next Monday. My summer is staring me right in the face - what did you accomplish? Well, thanks to my mom, I can say that I got some craft projects done!! I also did some work for school (granted it was within the last three days). My edge is that there is three days of summer left, and what will I do with the time? Will I be ready for school and students? Will I be the most tired I've been in a long time? (In the best Steven Tyler scream I can muster...) Living on the edge!
Tomorrow is our triathlon. My first triathlon ever, and I'm feeling nerves that I thought would at least hold out until tonight when I won't be able to sleep. I think I'm just excited to see if all my hard work this summer will pay off and help me to finish in less than 2 hours. When I train for things like this, I try to set a goal so that I can have a focus and keep up the work. However, now that it is less than 24 hours away (hence the edge), I am afraid that I will fall short. Will I make it? Living on the edge!
We are going to have a house in a week, and I need to start packing. I am so excited to have our own place! God really has blessed us this year with our jobs and our situation. I almost feel like we don't deserve to have our own place! We are just two young kids trying to be adults... what is that? Packing also makes the reality sink in a little more - we are going to be homeowners and we better get moving, literally! Living on the edge!
Those three items put me on the edge - the edge of my comfort zone. What defines the edge? Why do I feel anxious about these wonderful things? God tells us, "Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6
This is what I will do - no more living on the edge!
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Its one of those things...
Summer always passes by too fast! Its one of those things. First you're excited to get all of those things done that you thought of in the spring. Craft projects, cleaning, exercising, etc. And then, all of a sudden its the middle of August and you're fretting about getting anything done with the time you have left!
I am so blessed to have summer vacation and I wouldn't trade it for anything. However, I have to admit that I like the structure of the school year because for some reason, I actually get things done. I wake up early to exercise. I plan time during the evenings and weekends to do get all the cleaning done. I set aside Saturdays to do craft projects. Oh well. I'm rested and ready to become anxious every night about school again.
On a side note, we are buying a house. Its one of those things too that people would like to do and feel like its the next step. Well, it is our next step in the line of life. God really opened the door to a house in Reedsburg and we are excited to fix it up! Key words are fix it up. It needs a lot of work, but we are excited to tackle it. I don't like to watch HGTV for nothing!
I am so blessed to have summer vacation and I wouldn't trade it for anything. However, I have to admit that I like the structure of the school year because for some reason, I actually get things done. I wake up early to exercise. I plan time during the evenings and weekends to do get all the cleaning done. I set aside Saturdays to do craft projects. Oh well. I'm rested and ready to become anxious every night about school again.
On a side note, we are buying a house. Its one of those things too that people would like to do and feel like its the next step. Well, it is our next step in the line of life. God really opened the door to a house in Reedsburg and we are excited to fix it up! Key words are fix it up. It needs a lot of work, but we are excited to tackle it. I don't like to watch HGTV for nothing!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Impossible!
Impossible! For a plain yellow pumpkin to become a golden carriage, Impossible! Cinderella was thinking the same thing as I am - why do things seem so impossible sometimes? Finding a job you love, getting a house, finding friends that are cool... I could go on. Sometimes it seems the only way to have something happen is to make that leap of fatih and try something. Its scary, but it then becomes... Possible.
School is out, time is plentiful and summer vacation is amazing. Hope you all make your impossibles, ...possibles!
School is out, time is plentiful and summer vacation is amazing. Hope you all make your impossibles, ...possibles!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Go ahead and ruin it!
Students were working today, things were going smoothly, and what happens eighth hour? A student tries to rearrange an equation to make it more simple, but has a mistake. So i kindly say, "Good thought, however, it is not possible to rearrange it this way because..." and then I go on about why it is not possible. So I show them and then they say "WELL... in physics we did this and we learned how to do this, and we know all this, and blah... blah... blah..." So i say, "I understand that idea and in physics if you can simplify that way, great. However, you can't do it this way because..." and then I go into another reason about why you can't. They just look at each other with smug grins and wait until I am finished. The bell rings and they pack up and say as I'm walking away, "Okay, whatever, I wasn't even listening so I didn't get any of that."
Okay? Whatever? Yeah, you're right, your knowledge of math and the two years that you have actually studied it are more knowledgable than my degree and my abilities. Yeah, you're right that I'm wasting my time helping you when I could have been helping other students that actually want to listen and do care. Yeah, you're right you're getting a C- because you don't hand in the homework. Yeah, you're right your attitude is the worst I've seen in one human being. So go ahead, ruin my day with your smug grins and lazy attitude.
God has blessed me with the knowledge of math and the patience to persist in times of difficulty. So try to ruin my day - because you can't.
Okay? Whatever? Yeah, you're right, your knowledge of math and the two years that you have actually studied it are more knowledgable than my degree and my abilities. Yeah, you're right that I'm wasting my time helping you when I could have been helping other students that actually want to listen and do care. Yeah, you're right you're getting a C- because you don't hand in the homework. Yeah, you're right your attitude is the worst I've seen in one human being. So go ahead, ruin my day with your smug grins and lazy attitude.
God has blessed me with the knowledge of math and the patience to persist in times of difficulty. So try to ruin my day - because you can't.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Faced!
I got faced by the wind this morning! Literally! Unknowingly, I ran this morning in the chilly -1 degree weather. That wouldn't even have been so bad if there wasn't the wind! With wind chills it was -25 degrees. YIKES! Sometimes I'm not motivated to run, I wish that was the case today. However, I trekked it out and enjoyed the thrill!
In other news, school is going well, and I can't wait for Christmas break in a week! WOO HOO! I mean, I love those fun high schoolers, but I'm ready for a break! What would you do with a break? I'm curious, let me know...
In other news, school is going well, and I can't wait for Christmas break in a week! WOO HOO! I mean, I love those fun high schoolers, but I'm ready for a break! What would you do with a break? I'm curious, let me know...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Frightful!
Halloween is frightful, but that's not what I'm talking about now...
Oh the weather outside is frightful, but our apartment is so delightful. And since we've not place to go.... let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!!!
Yes, it was snowing out today. It was pretty. It made me think of hot chocolate, christmas music, the smell of a warm pie in the oven. It was wonderful. Now don't get me wrong here. I love fall, and I don't want it to snow any time soon. But it was so beautiful out today... I just couldn't believe it!
So where ever you are... think of snow and hot chocolate, warm pie, and all your cares will just melt away ;)
Oh the weather outside is frightful, but our apartment is so delightful. And since we've not place to go.... let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!!!
Yes, it was snowing out today. It was pretty. It made me think of hot chocolate, christmas music, the smell of a warm pie in the oven. It was wonderful. Now don't get me wrong here. I love fall, and I don't want it to snow any time soon. But it was so beautiful out today... I just couldn't believe it!
So where ever you are... think of snow and hot chocolate, warm pie, and all your cares will just melt away ;)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Chopped!
So I chopped my hair off today. So many women after they get married cut their hair nice and short. They are sick of it being long for their wedding day, so they cut it. I am not doing to for that reason. I need a change, a new start to the school year. What do I think of it? Well, I'm not typically a fan of short hair, but it feels pretty good.
Why does a haircut make you feel new? Who knows, but it does. You feel like people are looking at you from all directions... "Did she just-?" "What was she thinking!" "Who does she think she is to pull off a haircut like that?" Things like that running through my mind. I shouldn't worry about such things, but I do. It grows back, and soon enough mine will too. BUt for now, I am enjoying feeling like a new person! I feel ten pounds lighter and five months younger! Ha.
Why does a haircut make you feel new? Who knows, but it does. You feel like people are looking at you from all directions... "Did she just-?" "What was she thinking!" "Who does she think she is to pull off a haircut like that?" Things like that running through my mind. I shouldn't worry about such things, but I do. It grows back, and soon enough mine will too. BUt for now, I am enjoying feeling like a new person! I feel ten pounds lighter and five months younger! Ha.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tripped
Sometimes my tongue gets tripped up. Sometimes I can get tripped up on a math problem. All manageable things. However, the other day while I was running, I tripped - I fell right in front of an old lady vacuuming her car. She didn't even look up to see if I was okay. I felt like a complete idiot!
I think we all need to trip every once and a while. It humbles us, brings us back to where we started from, and wakes us up all in the same moment! The day progressed into more thinking and really examining what the heck I was doing.
So even though my leg oozes, and I have a permanent band-aid mark, I'm glad I tripped... in a weird sort of way!
I think we all need to trip every once and a while. It humbles us, brings us back to where we started from, and wakes us up all in the same moment! The day progressed into more thinking and really examining what the heck I was doing.
So even though my leg oozes, and I have a permanent band-aid mark, I'm glad I tripped... in a weird sort of way!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
So Cute!
I know, we're adorable together. This is what we look like these days for those of you wondering out there!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sitting
When I was in swimming, we had a "bull-pen" where we would wait for our next race to begin. We would mentally prepare, focus on the task at hand, and check out the competition too. All I remember from this was the overwhelming nervous feeling that overcame me. I'd be sitting there with butterflies, birds, airplanes, jets, you name it... stewing inside.
Right now - I feel like I'm back in the bull-pen. Sitting. Waiting. Getting nervous. Wishing it was time so I can just do what I know best. The wedding is three and half weeks away. I can't wait!!! However, finishing school, finding a job, moving to a new town. Its overwhelming and I'm stuck in the bull-pen. Sitting.
Right now - I feel like I'm back in the bull-pen. Sitting. Waiting. Getting nervous. Wishing it was time so I can just do what I know best. The wedding is three and half weeks away. I can't wait!!! However, finishing school, finding a job, moving to a new town. Its overwhelming and I'm stuck in the bull-pen. Sitting.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Skinned Knees
I miss the days of skinned knees and grass stains. You know why? You were most likely a kid when that happened. You were ten years old, playing in your back yard as happy as can be that a slug had washed up in the little water trail in your yard. Those days were easier. They were care free and fun. Some days I wish I was back in my back yard looking at slugs.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Getting Away
I'm sitting in a hotel room, by myself, watching the snow fall over the Mississippi River. I am away. Simeon has a job interview tomorrow for John Deere in Moline, IL. I, like a good future wife, am supporting my future husband by calming his nerves and encouraging him during this stressful time. I know he will do great tomorrow - most likely get a job.
However, tonight I want to write about getting away. I love hotels. I come and sit and all the possible seats to decide where the best one is. I look at all the hotel offers: three year old instant coffee, a laundry bag, a notepad, stinky-gross shampoo and conditioner, and a lot more. Why are these things so amazing and luxury to my eyes? Well, they are not mine. They are out of my zone and world far enough for me to feel away. Sometimes in the midst of crazy life and on-the-go moves, you need to escape.
I like to look upon the neighboring buildings and think about where my life is away from where I'm at. Student teaching, planning a wedding, working at a job, trying to stay healthy, driving, and more driving. It is a wonderful life. I'm more than in love with Simeon, I love being at home with my family, I'm almost done with something I've invested 5 years of my life to. I'm about ready to start a new life with the love of my life, and only God knows where. What could be better?
Sometimes we need a different perspective to realize that to get to the good stuff, we've got to face the rain. That's another reason why I'm getting away.
However, tonight I want to write about getting away. I love hotels. I come and sit and all the possible seats to decide where the best one is. I look at all the hotel offers: three year old instant coffee, a laundry bag, a notepad, stinky-gross shampoo and conditioner, and a lot more. Why are these things so amazing and luxury to my eyes? Well, they are not mine. They are out of my zone and world far enough for me to feel away. Sometimes in the midst of crazy life and on-the-go moves, you need to escape.
I like to look upon the neighboring buildings and think about where my life is away from where I'm at. Student teaching, planning a wedding, working at a job, trying to stay healthy, driving, and more driving. It is a wonderful life. I'm more than in love with Simeon, I love being at home with my family, I'm almost done with something I've invested 5 years of my life to. I'm about ready to start a new life with the love of my life, and only God knows where. What could be better?
Sometimes we need a different perspective to realize that to get to the good stuff, we've got to face the rain. That's another reason why I'm getting away.
Monday, February 18, 2008
I do!
I DO want it to be June. I DO wish that I would be graduated and teaching. I DO wish that Simeon had a job that he absolutely loved. I DO wish that I lived closer to both my brother and sister. I DO wish Meredith lived here so I could see her again. I DO wish that it was warmer outside. I DO love snow days. I DO wish that I wasn't as pale as an egg white. I DO wish that working out wasn't so hard. I DO wish things like wedding cakes and honeymoons grew on trees so I wouldn't have to spend so much money. I DO wish that the political ads would leave everyone alone. I DO wish that people would go out to vote. I DO wish that I wouldn't get so nervous about things. I DO know that God has a plan for our lives. I DO believe that God made me the way I am. I DO know that God loves me. I DO love God. I DO love Simeon. I wish I could say the real I DO in June. But alas. It is about three and a half months away! What do YOU DO?
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Bah Again
I'm sick...again. I hope it goes away for student teaching next week!!
How is everyone out there??
How is everyone out there??
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Thursday, December 13, 2007
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