oh, to be 20/20

I've definitely had contacts now for 14 years and I am very close to throwing them in the toilet somedays (although I'm practically blind without them), but this morning I accidentally dropped one in the toilet! I have probably dropped my contacts hundreds of times in the last fourteen years, but I must say - this was a first. It was all I could do to put it back in my eye this morning. I thought I was going to throw up (at least the toilet was clean - as much as a toilet can be clean). But, needless to say, this was the final straw. My parents gave me the gift of Lasik eye surgery for graduation this year (awesome!), I just had yet to do the research on doctors and such. So, you'd better believe that was one of the first things I did when I got home from church today....20/20 here I come!

blogging bum

So...I am officially a blogging bum. I am terrible with coming up with things to say. So, for those of you who have given up on reading this, I figured I would at least let you know I am alive. Since graduation I have realized that I really do not have a life. Justin and I have both said several times, "We have got to find a hobby." And it's true. Hmmm...I'm still trying to figure out what exactly there really is to do in Roxboro. So far this week I have just been addicted to Craig's list...not exactly what I would hope to be my hobby. Also...we've become obsessed with finding a dog. We got to hold a yorkshire terrier at the pet store yesterday and that is definitely what I want! One step at a time...I have got to trust Justin with a dog before I can trust him with a human. :) Speaking of...Sheila...Olivia had better be here soon! We are excited for you and Andrew! Another realization I have come to this week - the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is amazing. I finally used one the other day and I seriously went around my whole house (ok, this didn't take long) looking for every neglected spot on these old walls. I really did feel like a magician or something. Spots have never come off so easily! (Told you my life is boring!) Pray for a hobby so next time I won't just be an infomercial!

what graduation means to me...

So... :) I don't have much to say tonight, but I thought I would share a little about how my life has changed in just the last few weeks since graduation....

• I haven't read one book...and I'm ok with that
• All of my paycheck isn't going toward gas anymore....and I'm definitely ok with that!
• Justin and I have been on two dates :)
• I've made dinner 4 nights already this week (2 more than a normal week before)
• I've been able to keep my house clean enough so that its ok if people just drop by (this was NOT the case before graduation)
• We've watched as many movies in one week as we probably watched all semester
• I have been able to actually have time to brainstorm about things at the Pregnancy Support Center
• We have had friends over twice this week...probably equal to all semester...what a blessing!

That's all I can think of for now, but, bottom line is...I'm so thankful to be done with school. I do feel weird, like there's something I should be doing, but I get over that quickly and sit down and catch up on all the HGTV I have been missing!

count down on the clapper

For those of you who haven't been in our house...yes...we are the (proud?) owners of "The Clappper." I can't say that I saw this coming in my life, but I guess I can't totally complain. I bought it probably 8 months ago for Justin because he has always wanted it and it just happened to be on sale at Eckerd. What was I thinking? Now, every time I walk into our living room I have to...stop what I'm doing....clap three times (crap, that was too fast)....clap three times again....(crap, I sneezed and threw it off)...yes, clap three times again (thank goodness, it worked -if I'm lucky)...and then I can go on with my life. Yes, this has gone on for 8 months now. I think it's time to pull the plug. Meanwhile...I'll keep dreaming of a house where all light switches work and I am not mocked multiple times a day by the lighting in my own house. (I'm not afraid to dream big!)

God is good....even on Mondays...

Blogger moment of the day....I went to the grocery store for three things today and from the time I went in to the time I left it began POURING. I headed out of the store...with no umbrella of course...and it was a lost cause...I didn't even run. The rain was coming at me horizontally because of the crazy wind and by the time I got to my car (a mere 20 seconds later) the whole left side of my body was drenched....but the right side faired well...not even damp. Unbelievable. I'm just glad I was on the way home...I may not have handled that experience so well if I was just starting out my day. However...since that 20 seconds I spent in the rain I have probably sneezed 100 times and gone through 40 kleenex. Who knew! Next time I'll run.

But, God has just blessed me tremendously today. One thing I have learned over and over again since working at the Pregnancy Support Center is to come to God with even the smallest of my problems and to truly be thankful for the small things that He does as well. I woke up so discouraged about my job this morning....I let a silly e-mail from someone really get me down....and God quickly reminded me this morning that He is so good.

Psalm 8 quickly pierced my heart as I read, "What is man that you are mindful or him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet." I am so thankful that God gripped me with the reality of how privileged I am just to be able to serve the women at our center. I am truly amazed each day that He has given me such an amazing opportunity to help meet a great need in our community. Praise God that He is mindful of us....even when we fail to recognize Him. What a great, majestic God who is not just mindful of us but truly knows the best for us and blesses us beyond what we can even imagine!

I realized that I have got to be more creative with my writing - 4 out of 5 of my posts have started with "So...." and that was exactly how I was going to start this one! I'm so predictable....its pathetic! :) One thing that's not predictable is that Justin and I are actually contemplating a road trip, so I'll keep you posted. I am very excited about the thought of getting away with my husband! He loves Washington, DC so I think we are going to head up there and then on to New York. I could go tomorrow!...can you tell there's not much to do in Roxboro?? We've only been here full time for a week and I'm already ready for a get away. I was spoiled getting to go to the "big city" of Wake Forest each week! Imagine that!! :)

My piano students had their recital today and I was so proud! Everything went surprisingly well. I made some goodies for the reception and I thought I would share the recipes since they're simple. Enjoy!

Cherry Jell-o Apples

I learned about this from a lady at work. It's so simple and great for snacks, especially for kids.

Just slice some apples, place in a ziploc bag or container and shake with some (dry) cherry jello. (Just enough to lightly coat the apples). They're messy, but surprisingly good.


Pepperoni Pinwheels

This is another easy appetizer or snack!

1 (8oz.) can of crescent dinner rolls
1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 (3.5 oz) pkg. sliced pepperoni
1 c. pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce

Heat oven to 350. Separate dough into 4 rectangles; firmly press perforations to seal. Place 8 pepperoni slices on each rectangle. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese. Starting at shortest side, tightly roll up each rectangle; pinch to seal. Slice each roll into 4 equal slices. Pinch dough together on one side of each slice to seal. Place sealed side down on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Serve with warm pizza sauce if desired. Makes 16 pinwheels. (I've never used pizza sauce - they're good enough by themselves!)

I hope you enjoy these recipes....let me know if you like them! Now that I've got time to actually cook dinner I hope to share some more recipes. Stayed tuned!

So...funniest moment of the day....our waitress (atleast 40 years old) comes up to us at lunch today at Golden Corral and says, "Is this your boyfriend?" and I said, "Well, he's my husband." Then she says, "Well, he's cute! Y'all are too young to be married." I about died...it was hilarious. Good move on her part, though, because that comment alone got her an extra dollar from Justin!

Anyways...I am terrible at this blogging thing...(good thing no one actually reads these!)...we were gone last week to the beach, which was wonderful and this week has been equally wonderful as I am beginning to realize what life without school looks like. We have been on two dates in one week! (Thanks to some recently acquired gift cards!) I think that's about the same number of dates we've been on since we got married. Praise the Lord for graduation! I am so thankful to begin this new chapter of our lives. But, since we did not have lives before graduation I have got to get my butt up and get a life so I actually have something to write about!