I know one of you lovely ladies will be able to steer me in the right direction- perhaps an Arkansas or Alabama fan.
I am in search of a garnet (or some variation of this color) and white houndstooth coat. I swear I saw one on somebody's blog recently, but I can't find it anymore.
One of my friends is searching for one to wear to the Clemson-Carolina game in a few weeks, and so far has been unsuccessful in finding one. I scoured the internet, but was unsuccessful as well. I tried searching maroon, burgundy, garnet, and red, but came up with nothing.
So, if you know where to find one, please let me know!
Thanks, lovelies :-)
Tuesday, November 10
Turn the other cheek?
This post may get long so if you want to bow out now, I don't blame you, but it's something that has been weighing on my mind for a few weeks now and was made worse yesterday.
A little bit of backstory before I get to the title of the post. The preacher at the church I grew up in came to us when I was in 4th grade. Over the years, the church has had its ups and downs with him. In short, he didn't visit shut-ins, people at the hospital, elderly people in the church, etc. like he should have. Instead, he has always been more concerned with hunting, fishing, and whatever else he could find to do rather than what he was supposed to be doing as the leader of a church. He has also always been a little bit shady in some of his dealings- with cell phone companies, bailing his problem son out of trouble time and time again, etc. Things that you would think a preacher would be upright about.
Last year my dad was chairman of the deacons at the church. His term just ended 2 months ago, but while he was serving as chair, he realized a lot of things about the preacher that he probably already knew, but didn't see as much first hand prior to being the chair. For instance, my dad was the one who would visit those people the preacher didn't, and not that my dad minded, but he has a full time job and was still having to do it because the preacher did not. Dad also realized that the preacher was taking a lot of credit for starting programs within the church that he did not, in fact, start. Case in point- there is a program one Saturday a month where some of the church members cook meals and deliver them to shut-ins in the community. The preacher never even walked next door from his house to the church to see how things were going. And on Sunday nights when my parents and other church members were at the church teaching English as a second language to some of the Hispanic population, do you think the preacher participated or even came over to see how it was going? Nope.
So, long story short (although I have already made it long) he just wasn't doing what some people thought he should. His sermons did not cut it, either. Often I would go home and listen to him ramble for 30 minutes through a sermon that did not have a cohesive message. When I started attending a church here in Columbia, I realized how severely lacking the sermons at my home church really were in comparison. Because of these things, many of the church members in the past several months had gotten disillusioned and did not feel he could be the spiritual leader of the church anymore. This all started in my dad's last few months of being deacon chair, so they came to him to help do something. In no way, shape, or form would my dad ever do anything that he felt was not right and there was not a reason for doing. So when church members started going elsewhere to church and asking for a solution, my dad stepped in and tried to talk to the preacher about the concerns. Of course, the preacher did not see where he was doing anything wrong, and when asked to prayerfully consider stepping down, he did not feel "led" to do that.
In the meantime, dad's term ended as chairman, and two other men stepped in as co-chairs of the deacons. Meetings were held to discuss the problems, and the preacher was finally told that if he did not step down, then a petition could be signed by a majority of the congregation to have him removed. My dad was the one that had to tell him this, but prefaced it by saying he didn't want it to come to that. So, the preacher said he would step down, but only if he was compensated with a very large sum for doing so. The church members voted to do this in order to get rid of him and bring the church back to where it should be without all the dissension.
Now, here's the part of my post that goes along with the title. One of the preacher's daughters is my age. We have never been the best of friends growing up, and now I know exactly why. Apparently she has been putting things on her facebook and telling people all sorts of horrible things about my father. She has called him and other members of the deacon board the devil and has said terrible things. This has all gotten back to people in the church because of the people she has chosen to say these things to. She has told people that know my father and some of the other deacons, and they know the truth and the real character of my dad and the others. Dad did not want this whole thing to come to this, but it was necessary to not completely separate the church and drive long-term members away. The preacher was given an easy out and he chose not to pursue that route, instead causing the hullaballoo that we have now.
It makes me very angry to hear the nastiness that is spewing from the preacher's daughter's mouth about my dad and other moral, upright deacon board members. These are men I have known all my life. Men that I know are of good character with strong faith. Men that I'd stand behind any day in their decisions. Never in my life have I felt that way about the preacher. So, it is hard for me to just turn the other cheek like the Bible tells me to when I hear how she is spitting venom about these men. I know she is upset, but now she has made me upset. Shouldn't she have turned the other cheek first, even if she felt that her views and her father's side of the story was the correct one? Isn't that what her father preached? So, why am I supposed to turn the other cheek when she says horrible things about my father if the preacher's daughter can't even do it? If I happened to run into her, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure how I'd react. I'd probably feel compelled to call her out. Luckily, we don't live near each other and the only times I would see her anyway were at church, so I think I'll be able to take the moral high road even through my anger.
Boy, turning the other cheek is tough!
A little bit of backstory before I get to the title of the post. The preacher at the church I grew up in came to us when I was in 4th grade. Over the years, the church has had its ups and downs with him. In short, he didn't visit shut-ins, people at the hospital, elderly people in the church, etc. like he should have. Instead, he has always been more concerned with hunting, fishing, and whatever else he could find to do rather than what he was supposed to be doing as the leader of a church. He has also always been a little bit shady in some of his dealings- with cell phone companies, bailing his problem son out of trouble time and time again, etc. Things that you would think a preacher would be upright about.
Last year my dad was chairman of the deacons at the church. His term just ended 2 months ago, but while he was serving as chair, he realized a lot of things about the preacher that he probably already knew, but didn't see as much first hand prior to being the chair. For instance, my dad was the one who would visit those people the preacher didn't, and not that my dad minded, but he has a full time job and was still having to do it because the preacher did not. Dad also realized that the preacher was taking a lot of credit for starting programs within the church that he did not, in fact, start. Case in point- there is a program one Saturday a month where some of the church members cook meals and deliver them to shut-ins in the community. The preacher never even walked next door from his house to the church to see how things were going. And on Sunday nights when my parents and other church members were at the church teaching English as a second language to some of the Hispanic population, do you think the preacher participated or even came over to see how it was going? Nope.
So, long story short (although I have already made it long) he just wasn't doing what some people thought he should. His sermons did not cut it, either. Often I would go home and listen to him ramble for 30 minutes through a sermon that did not have a cohesive message. When I started attending a church here in Columbia, I realized how severely lacking the sermons at my home church really were in comparison. Because of these things, many of the church members in the past several months had gotten disillusioned and did not feel he could be the spiritual leader of the church anymore. This all started in my dad's last few months of being deacon chair, so they came to him to help do something. In no way, shape, or form would my dad ever do anything that he felt was not right and there was not a reason for doing. So when church members started going elsewhere to church and asking for a solution, my dad stepped in and tried to talk to the preacher about the concerns. Of course, the preacher did not see where he was doing anything wrong, and when asked to prayerfully consider stepping down, he did not feel "led" to do that.
In the meantime, dad's term ended as chairman, and two other men stepped in as co-chairs of the deacons. Meetings were held to discuss the problems, and the preacher was finally told that if he did not step down, then a petition could be signed by a majority of the congregation to have him removed. My dad was the one that had to tell him this, but prefaced it by saying he didn't want it to come to that. So, the preacher said he would step down, but only if he was compensated with a very large sum for doing so. The church members voted to do this in order to get rid of him and bring the church back to where it should be without all the dissension.
Now, here's the part of my post that goes along with the title. One of the preacher's daughters is my age. We have never been the best of friends growing up, and now I know exactly why. Apparently she has been putting things on her facebook and telling people all sorts of horrible things about my father. She has called him and other members of the deacon board the devil and has said terrible things. This has all gotten back to people in the church because of the people she has chosen to say these things to. She has told people that know my father and some of the other deacons, and they know the truth and the real character of my dad and the others. Dad did not want this whole thing to come to this, but it was necessary to not completely separate the church and drive long-term members away. The preacher was given an easy out and he chose not to pursue that route, instead causing the hullaballoo that we have now.
It makes me very angry to hear the nastiness that is spewing from the preacher's daughter's mouth about my dad and other moral, upright deacon board members. These are men I have known all my life. Men that I know are of good character with strong faith. Men that I'd stand behind any day in their decisions. Never in my life have I felt that way about the preacher. So, it is hard for me to just turn the other cheek like the Bible tells me to when I hear how she is spitting venom about these men. I know she is upset, but now she has made me upset. Shouldn't she have turned the other cheek first, even if she felt that her views and her father's side of the story was the correct one? Isn't that what her father preached? So, why am I supposed to turn the other cheek when she says horrible things about my father if the preacher's daughter can't even do it? If I happened to run into her, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure how I'd react. I'd probably feel compelled to call her out. Luckily, we don't live near each other and the only times I would see her anyway were at church, so I think I'll be able to take the moral high road even through my anger.
Boy, turning the other cheek is tough!
Monday, November 9
Am I the only one...
...who does not like Christmas music? I cringe at the thought of Christmas music playing in stores and on the radio 24/7. I can handle a song here or there, but I just do not like Christmas music as a whole. I really can't tell you why not. I haven't had a bad experience with it or anything. I did work in a retail store at one time and was forced to listen to it over and over and over throughout the holidays, but I disliked it before then, so that wouldn't be the cause of my disdain.
Now, don't get me wrong...I love Christmas and most everything that goes along with it. I can't wait to go get a tree and decorate it, hang our stockings (Clemson for WEG and Carolina for me), and make the house more festive, but I just don't need Christmas music playing in the background while I am doing all this.
Does anybody else feel the same way or am I the only anti-Christmas music person in blogland? Go ahead and call me out as a bah humbug- I know I'm asking for it!
Now, don't get me wrong...I love Christmas and most everything that goes along with it. I can't wait to go get a tree and decorate it, hang our stockings (Clemson for WEG and Carolina for me), and make the house more festive, but I just don't need Christmas music playing in the background while I am doing all this.
Does anybody else feel the same way or am I the only anti-Christmas music person in blogland? Go ahead and call me out as a bah humbug- I know I'm asking for it!
Wednesday, November 4
A glimpse into me
I am at a loss for something to blog about. There's nothing majorly exciting going on in my life (except the fact that I have run 4 days in a row now, and today will make 5, and that is a major accomplishment!). I don't have any great product reviews. I don't have anything to rant about (shocker, huh?) So, I thought I would tell you some things about me that you may not know.
1. I hate dust. It makes me gag, especially when it gets caught on the end of the broom. ugh.
2. I have road rage. Okay, if you know me, then you knew this already. WEG will not let me drive anywhere as he can't tolerate my yelling at other cars. I can't help it that other people are morons when they drive!
3. I dislike hunks of fruit in my food. I don't like ice cream or yogurt with hunks of fruit in it. Don't do fruit milkshakes or smoothies that have pieces of fruit in them. Don't get me wrong, I love fruit, just don't like it in small pieces mixed in my food.
4. I would like to live out in the country on several acres with no immediate neighbors. City life just isn't my thing. I would not mind commuting to work if I could live in the country, and definitely south of my current location. Upstate SC is just not for me. Oh, and I definitely want to be in SC.
5. I'm not sure if I ever want to have a child. At this point, I am scared to death of the thought. I have been told that my biological clock will start ticking one day, but I'm skeptical.
6. I am a plant killer. I don't try to be, but inevitably I forget to water it or something and it dies. The mum I had on my porch several weeks ago when I showed you my new wreaths is now half dead. It was halfway dead within a week of getting it....no bueno.
7. I listen to the Christian radio station pretty much 24-7 except for in the mornings while I am getting ready and then it's country. I love the contemporary Christian songs and know basically all the words to all the songs.
8. I am an only child, and to my knowledge, never wanted a brother or sister. Could it be that I was spoiled? Probably so.
9. I am often obsessive about lists and being organized. I am going to Clemson this weekend with WEG and currently have 3 lists going- one for the grocery store, one of things to pack, and one is a to-do list.
10. I love the Gamecocks and always will, but this year I have not been a good fan. I have not tailgated one.single.time. And I have only been to one game, and that is one I had to go to for work. Maybe it's the thought of how expensive it is to go tailgate and watch a game, or maybe it's the thought of our season ending like it always does- disastrously. Call me fair-weather, go ahead.
11. I haven't had a soft drink in 3 weeks. In fact, I have not had anything other than water, milk, wine, and a handful of beers. If you know how addicted I was to coke (the drink, not the drug) at one time, you'd find this amazing. Clearly I have kicked the caffeine addiction- woohoo.
12. My parents are my role models. They have always made sure I was taught good morals and Christian beliefs and they are great examples of strong Christian people. Everytime the church doors open they are there- not just for Sunday school and Church, but also for mission trips, bible studies, feeding shut-ins in the community, and teaching ESL.
That's enough little-known facts for now!
Hope you're having a great Wednesday :-) Halfway to the weekend!
1. I hate dust. It makes me gag, especially when it gets caught on the end of the broom. ugh.
2. I have road rage. Okay, if you know me, then you knew this already. WEG will not let me drive anywhere as he can't tolerate my yelling at other cars. I can't help it that other people are morons when they drive!
3. I dislike hunks of fruit in my food. I don't like ice cream or yogurt with hunks of fruit in it. Don't do fruit milkshakes or smoothies that have pieces of fruit in them. Don't get me wrong, I love fruit, just don't like it in small pieces mixed in my food.
4. I would like to live out in the country on several acres with no immediate neighbors. City life just isn't my thing. I would not mind commuting to work if I could live in the country, and definitely south of my current location. Upstate SC is just not for me. Oh, and I definitely want to be in SC.
5. I'm not sure if I ever want to have a child. At this point, I am scared to death of the thought. I have been told that my biological clock will start ticking one day, but I'm skeptical.
6. I am a plant killer. I don't try to be, but inevitably I forget to water it or something and it dies. The mum I had on my porch several weeks ago when I showed you my new wreaths is now half dead. It was halfway dead within a week of getting it....no bueno.
7. I listen to the Christian radio station pretty much 24-7 except for in the mornings while I am getting ready and then it's country. I love the contemporary Christian songs and know basically all the words to all the songs.
8. I am an only child, and to my knowledge, never wanted a brother or sister. Could it be that I was spoiled? Probably so.
9. I am often obsessive about lists and being organized. I am going to Clemson this weekend with WEG and currently have 3 lists going- one for the grocery store, one of things to pack, and one is a to-do list.
10. I love the Gamecocks and always will, but this year I have not been a good fan. I have not tailgated one.single.time. And I have only been to one game, and that is one I had to go to for work. Maybe it's the thought of how expensive it is to go tailgate and watch a game, or maybe it's the thought of our season ending like it always does- disastrously. Call me fair-weather, go ahead.
11. I haven't had a soft drink in 3 weeks. In fact, I have not had anything other than water, milk, wine, and a handful of beers. If you know how addicted I was to coke (the drink, not the drug) at one time, you'd find this amazing. Clearly I have kicked the caffeine addiction- woohoo.
12. My parents are my role models. They have always made sure I was taught good morals and Christian beliefs and they are great examples of strong Christian people. Everytime the church doors open they are there- not just for Sunday school and Church, but also for mission trips, bible studies, feeding shut-ins in the community, and teaching ESL.
That's enough little-known facts for now!
Hope you're having a great Wednesday :-) Halfway to the weekend!
Thursday, October 29
Riding boots dilemma
I really want a pair of riding boots, but am struggling to decide if I want black or brown. I also don't want to spend a ton because I'm not sure I'll wear them a whole lot- I don't own but one pair of skinny jeans and I fear they are too skinny for me to fit into at the moment!
Does anybody have suggestions of cute riding boots for a good price? I have been debating the Target ones, but haven't bit the bullet and think I may be too late!
Also, would you go with black or the caramel colored brown? I'm being wishy-washy!
Does anybody have suggestions of cute riding boots for a good price? I have been debating the Target ones, but haven't bit the bullet and think I may be too late!
Also, would you go with black or the caramel colored brown? I'm being wishy-washy!
Wednesday, October 28
Update
Hey y'all! Just wanted to update you on how the sugar and calorie cutback is going. So far, so good. It is incredibly hard to limit myself to 40 grams of added sugar a day, simply because so many things I eat contain sugar. I have never been a sugar-holic and I generally prefer salty over sweet, so if you love sugar, it would only be that much harder. Sorry, that's probably discouraging, huh?
In any case, I had events over the weekend- one on Friday and one on Saturday- where the meals were bbq, mac & cheese, fried chicken, etc...you get the picture. So my calorie counts were out the window on those two days. I still managed to lose 1.5 pounds last week. I'm not putting a lot of stock in that because my weight fluctuates between morning and night, and sometimes even within 10 minutes it will be different. I did weigh myself at the same time on Tuesday morning as I did last Tuesday morning, so maybe 1.5 pounds is accurate.
I'm still enjoying the snacks and foods I mentioned last week and have done a good job keeping my calorie count to right around 1500 per day during the week. Weekends are definitely harder, but I try to be reasonable without being so strict.
Now, if I could just get motivated to exercise more, I'd be in business! I like to get out and walk, but it has been so rainy here lately that I don't want to go out in it. Also, I have burned myself out with Jillian. The thought of the 30 day Shred makes me shudder. And, WiiFit just doesn't seem to cut it for me. My heartrate never seems to elevate like it should. Besides joining a gym, do y'all have any other good suggestions of at-home videos, etc?
In any case, I had events over the weekend- one on Friday and one on Saturday- where the meals were bbq, mac & cheese, fried chicken, etc...you get the picture. So my calorie counts were out the window on those two days. I still managed to lose 1.5 pounds last week. I'm not putting a lot of stock in that because my weight fluctuates between morning and night, and sometimes even within 10 minutes it will be different. I did weigh myself at the same time on Tuesday morning as I did last Tuesday morning, so maybe 1.5 pounds is accurate.
I'm still enjoying the snacks and foods I mentioned last week and have done a good job keeping my calorie count to right around 1500 per day during the week. Weekends are definitely harder, but I try to be reasonable without being so strict.
Now, if I could just get motivated to exercise more, I'd be in business! I like to get out and walk, but it has been so rainy here lately that I don't want to go out in it. Also, I have burned myself out with Jillian. The thought of the 30 day Shred makes me shudder. And, WiiFit just doesn't seem to cut it for me. My heartrate never seems to elevate like it should. Besides joining a gym, do y'all have any other good suggestions of at-home videos, etc?
Friday, October 23
Willpower
On Wednesday, right after writing the post on cutting back on sugar, I went to lunch with my dad. And guess what he brought me? A bag my mom sent to me of my favorite candies- Heath bar, Kit Kats, and Skittles. That bag sat on my desk for the rest of the afternoon Wednesday, and then I took it home, where it sat until this morning, untouched. This morning WEG decided he would take full advantage of my sugar cut-back, and picked up the bag to carry to work.
Willpower is a bitch.
Willpower is a bitch.
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