Problems with pork loin and M&M obstacles...

1.  Last Saturday, we had a friend over a dinner and I was thrilled to try a new recipe, a pork loin roast. The recipe sounded pretty easy: slice up pork loin roast, put apple slices between each slice, throw in dashes of honey/cinnamon, and let it cook in the crock pot for a few hours.  Well the meat was nice and tender, but apparently honey and cinnamon are not the most flavor packed spices.  It tasted decent, but at the same time was kinda bland.  Live and learn. At least it was better than the time I ruined the waffle maker or made cookies that Jim said looked like "donkey turds".



2.  Since saying farewell to Netflix, I'm fascinated how much time I don't waste watching TV and actually really don't miss it that much.  Less TV time, has helped me really get back into reading.  Since December I've finished about 7 or 8 different books.

I went to the library on Monday to pick up a copy of this book I have been wanting to read for awhile now.  Its the story of a woman who at a young age got into a successful modeling career which eventually took her to win the Victoria's Secret Fashion show in 2009 at age 19.  Along her journey, she became a Christian.  I was intrigued by this story line because I know sometimes I look at models/compare myself to them and think they have it all together, look perfect, and happy/successful women.  Kylie opens up and talks about the dark side of all the glamour: emptiness, loneliness, feeling you're never good enough--even when a size 2, and being objectified by an entire industry.  It was a great read; so much so, I finished it all on Monday night...late Monday night.


3.  Feeling angry?  Here are some ideas on how NOT to handle it...I've learned the hard way.  If you ain't kicking a hole in a door, you're one step ahead of me folks.


4.  Last night was special night out with my Mom, sister, and MIL.  Every spring a local church has a lady's night out at a local banquet hall: there's good food, drinks, shopping, and different women speakers speaking on a faith based theme.  This year the theme was 'Cloud of Witnesses' and women who spoke shared their stories of faith and perseverance.  One of the women who spoke was Amy O'Rourke, the wife of police officer Patrick O'Rourke from the metro Detroit community.  Almost 2 years ago, Amy's husband was shot and killed by man who eventually took his own life.  Amy's talk was SO inspiring: she speaks her their strong shared faith and how she forgives, and knows in the deepest part of her heart, her husband forgave the man who killed him.
Her faith, hope, sorrow, and message of forgiveness were incredible...and there wasn't a dry eye in that banquet hall.


5.  So Jen's book is officially out...mine came in the mail yesterday & I'm tearing into it like a monkey on a cupcake.  I'm REALLY excited to hopefully get together sometime this month with these lovelies: Jenna, Dwija, and Iris for an epic selfie picture with Jen's book & have a book release party together!!!


6.  I was pretty disappointed when I heard Verily magazine would no longer be in print...but another magazine I signed up for, arrived for the first time this week.
Relevant is a Christian magazine for young adults.  It covers culture, music, faith, international issues, and intentional living.  I was so excited when I saw my first issue in the mail box this week.  Its a great read, and has some thought provoking articles to make you think.
If you're looking for something to challenge you & open your eyes of faith more, Relevant is a great option!!


7.

This picture sums me up SO.well.

Growing up, my version of trail mix consisted of picking out the raisins and M&M's...cause really we all know that's the point of the trail mix right?

Well this week Jim came home one day to find the trail mix totally naked of chocolate/salty goodness. All that was left was a bowl of picked over cashews and almonds....needless to say he wasn't thrilled.  And then I had to explain all the nut leftovers in the trash.... #longstory  #funtimes



Linking up with the official authoress herself!!

How NOT to handle anger in marriage...

 Honestly I would not describe myself as an 'angry' type person; I'm not a yeller or a rager.  Sure I have my cold shoulder and pouty moments, but anger for me is an emotion I don't do a whole lot.  One thing marriage is teaching me is how to learn from my mistakes, to use them as an opportunity to learn from them and (hopefully) not continually keep screwing up.   Sure we all get angry at times throughout life, but of course its what you do with the anger that is what really matters.

Obviously from the title, I have learned some valuable lessons almost two years in on how to anger the wrong and right way.



1.  DON'T kick a hole in your bedroom door....do go for a walk, journal about your feelings.

Yes I one time was so angry I kicked a hole in our bedroom door.  Ouch and yikes.  Breaking things is anger done poorly.  Lesson learned for me!  Not to mention it makes an awkward reminder of a bad decision I choose to do when I just wasn't mature enough to use my words or go journal about whatever the hell I was mad at to begin with. 



2.  DON'T throw a hissy fit....do take a grown up version of "time out"
When I was little, I have one clear memory of totally loosing it in public with my Mom.  I remember laying on the ground thrashing, kicking, and screaming.  Hot mess 101.  She promptly scooped me up and carried me to the car where I was put in my car seat.  I then got the "look" and she proceeded to tell me I would NOT behave in public like that again.  Any time I saw the "look", I knew Mom or Dad meant business. 

Fast forward 25 years.  And no, I didn't lay down in public thrashing as an adult.  But I have thrown a few hissy fits since getting married.  The kind where I've stomped my feet (I know, miss maturity), slammed doors, and walked out in a loud, noticeable way to make a point.  Because I'm 28 and not 5 years old anymore, learning to take a grown up 'time out" is a grand thing.  Taking anger out on the treadmill, what a wonderful to let out the steam! Journaling about the feelings of what's behind big feelings also has helped me reign it in.

 3.  DON'T be passive aggressive...do use your words, and if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all

So this winter Michigan got an insane amount of snow.  One morning as I was heading out the door to work, Jim and I had a small tiff.  Well obviously it was more than a 'small tiff' because as I was tromping out to my car in the snow, I decided to use my leftover steam to hurl a few snow balls at Jim's truck to 'deal' with my feelings.  Later he called me and asked if I knew why his truck was covered in snow when only 2 hours before he had cleared it?  Ummm, well you see....  #awkward




 So is anger a 'bad' thing? No, not necessarily but if you feel the need to throw snowballs with Buddy-the-elf-like fury or break something, you might want to check yo self...before you wreck yo self or someone else.

May your days be merry and bright...and all your emotions handled with grace and class:)

7QT on New jobs, Dave Ramsey, and the perfect date

newly ordained!

1.  Easter was full and exhausting this year.  On Easter Sunday we went to 6am Mass.  Aside from feeling (and probably looking like zombies) it was a really cool thing to hear the Resurrection account as the sun was rising and seeing the light pour through the church windows!  After church we came home and Jim had to work for a bit.  I took a nap,  then later stuffed my face with candy, and went to church again at 11am.  No I wasn't trying to win extra holy points, but one of our best friends was just ordained a deacon a few weeks ago and Easter Sunday was the first time he was preaching.   Jake did a great job and looked like such a natural up there! 

Once Jim got home from work, we headed over to my parents where enjoyed a yummy 26 pound ham.  We like meat, yes we do.  Loud noises and laughter pretty sums up holidays at my parents house, which is always the best.


2.  Jim got a new job!  He'll have benefits and double the pay before, and it comes at such a good time for us financially as we begin to look at realistically what we have to do to kick out our debt.


3.  Speaking of debt, I've started to become friends with Dave Ramsey.  My friend Mary has talked a lot on her blog about her story of becoming debt free.  After furiously reading "The Total Money Makeover" in a week and sharing what I'm learning with Jim, we are both realizing something has gotta change.  Tonight we're going to get some budgeting tools/resources to help us start to create monthly budgets and adding up our total debt to see what we have to work with.
Honestly I'm scared.to.death. to embark on this.  Especially to cut up my credit card...goodbye random trips to Target & Ann Taylor LOFT.  Deep down though, I KNOW its time.  We got to grow up financially...and realize its time to start living like no one else now, so later we can live like no one else.


4.  Right before Easter, I did a spring-time purging of my side of the closet.  I have heard a lot of people talking about thredUP, an online consignment store for women and children. I sent in a bag of some of my goodies to be sold and earn credit for the store for future purchases.  I'm still waiting to hear back if all my items will be accepted, but I have been pleasantly surprised at the high standards and quality at the pieces they sell.


5.  Okay question for you all.  I'm thinking about putting a gallery wall in our living room.  There's just this huge white blank spot by the door that I feel just stares and laughs at me in the face.  I've started reading some tips/tricks on Pinterest, but I still feel clueless.
Soooo. For those of you who are ooberly creative how/where do I start?  If you made a gallery wall in your home, how did you begin and go about it?  thank you ahead of time.


6.  I just registered for my first 5K "Unleash the She" in Ann Arbor.  My Mom, sister, and I all registered for a walk run for ovarian cancer.  The three of us are doing this in honor and support of a very special family member who was just diagnosed.  I'm looking forward to doing this with my favorite gals and to do this in honor, love, and support of my aunt.



7.

I just LOVE this movie...and this scene always gets me.  So happy April 25th to each of you!!!


Have a great weekend...hopefully all you need is a light jacket.  And be sure to check out other Quick Takers galore