Currently I'm...
Reading: Though Mountains Fall by Dale Cramer. Had to take it back to the library today. I may just have to buy it on Kindle. I was so close to finishing it!
Watching: Lost in Austen and Dr. Who Season 7 Part 1. Hulu and Amazon Prime rock!
Listening: Needtobreathe I NEED more music from them! They rock my socks off!
Wishing: Vacation was here. Just a few more days.
Thinking: How packing and keeping the house spic and span will be a challenge.
Praying: For my friend Megan and for Cambodia.
Browsing: I've found many new blogs, but what's caught my eye are some good money blogs! And of course the Honda website! Need me a Honda! lol
Sipping: Diet Dr. Pepper and Lattes. Both of that needs to stop!
Eating: Junk... gah I need to get back on the health band wagon before I get back on the-my-clothes don't-fit-because-I eat-junk bandwagon.
What are you CURRENTLY doing?
Check out my instagram for more of my week!
30 June 2013
24 June 2013
10 Brands//Products I Love
Labels:
10 favorites,
lists
.JPG) |
| my moleskine planner - never leave home without it |
I have a lot of brand loyalty with quite a few brands, but here are the brands that I probably would have a hard time living without! They are in no particular order.
1// Moleskine ♥ planners and notebooks - one or both are always in my purse
2// Apple ♥ my laptop (which is older and is still going great) my iPhone 4s, will be purchasing an iPad this fall! Just watched the ios7 video. Anyway I can get a new iPhone this fall too? :)
3// Nike ♥ love the running shorts, and their running shoes are a staple in my closet.
4// TOMS Shoes ♥ - you can never have too many pairs!
5// Gap ♥ love everything Gap. The style is me to a T. My favorite are the jeans, dresses and t's. If you sign up for their emails, they are always sending me coupons!
6// Toms of Maine ♥ c'mon it's good for ya! I use their toothpaste and deodorant!
7// Vaseline Intensive Care ♥ The cocoa butter lotion is my favorite. Keeps me moisturized all day!
8// Gmail ♥ I've tried yahoo and hotmail. Nothing competes with Gmail. I would like to see something more streamlined and simple. Someday.
9// Starbucks ♥ I know, I know, but it's so good. I like all their fraps and espresso drinks. Want good intense bold, not bitter taste? Order your favorite frap decaf style! I need to get back to Gold Card status!
10// Target ♥ This is probably the big ticket. I'm glad I don't have a credit card there! It would be too expensive!
These brands did not contact me, just sharing things I love.
What are things you could probably could live without, but it would be really hard?
21 June 2013
19 June 2013
lately...
Labels:
lately
1) As of two weeks ago, I am completely debt free! Bye bye student loan!
2) My credit score has risen so much, I know I will get a good deal on a car and loan!
3) Speaking of car, I'm in the market for a brand spanking new car. So far, the Honda Civic is in the lead!
4) Why am I getting a new car? I'm moving to Arizona with my family. It could be as early as next month!
5) I'm applying for new positions with my current job so I can work down there. I'm putting it all in God's hands.
What is new with you? Do you have a Honda Civic? Do you like it?
01 June 2013
Summer Bucket List Part 1
I write this as I sit in my aunt and uncle's Porch/Room. I'm excited for this summer. But it will be quite a busy summer. So many things have happened in over two weeks. I'll share more later, suffice to say, I have a lot of things to do in a very short amount of time. But, I must have a summer bucket list!
My sister and I created one about a week ago. It's long, extensive, but completely fun. I'm just hoping we will find the time to do the items.
My list isn't extensive or minuscule Some are events, some are just mini-goals. My goals or mountains I talked about will be incorporated into my summer bucket list.
Without further ado:
1) Save for big purchases. I'm excited for some of the purchases I'll be making. Some will be big investments, but saving is the number one goal this summer.
2) Read. You saw my summer reading list. If not, check it out here.
3) Spend more time in the kitchen. I tend to eat out a lot. I'm eating healthier and I want my cooking and lifestyle to reflect that. When I spend time in the kitchen, I'm not going out and spending wasted money on wasted calories.
4) Run a 5k. Enough said - I need to get that body a groovin'.
5) Have a junk free room. I've downsized my room once, after coming back from Cambodia. But, I'm ready for round 2. Clear out the clothes that don't match what I'll be wearing a year from now. Just letting go of the clothes I was going to "fix". Downsizing my library even more. Getting rid of the crafty stuff that will never get done. It will be hard. But I want my room to be free of clutter and easy to manage.
That's part 1! I'll be working along with Back To Her Roots Super Summer Challenge. A bit more with that later.
Hope you have a wonderful June 1st!
My sister and I created one about a week ago. It's long, extensive, but completely fun. I'm just hoping we will find the time to do the items.
My list isn't extensive or minuscule Some are events, some are just mini-goals. My goals or mountains I talked about will be incorporated into my summer bucket list.
Without further ado:
1) Save for big purchases. I'm excited for some of the purchases I'll be making. Some will be big investments, but saving is the number one goal this summer.
2) Read. You saw my summer reading list. If not, check it out here.
3) Spend more time in the kitchen. I tend to eat out a lot. I'm eating healthier and I want my cooking and lifestyle to reflect that. When I spend time in the kitchen, I'm not going out and spending wasted money on wasted calories.
4) Run a 5k. Enough said - I need to get that body a groovin'.
5) Have a junk free room. I've downsized my room once, after coming back from Cambodia. But, I'm ready for round 2. Clear out the clothes that don't match what I'll be wearing a year from now. Just letting go of the clothes I was going to "fix". Downsizing my library even more. Getting rid of the crafty stuff that will never get done. It will be hard. But I want my room to be free of clutter and easy to manage.
That's part 1! I'll be working along with Back To Her Roots Super Summer Challenge. A bit more with that later.
Hope you have a wonderful June 1st!
29 May 2013
Currently
Labels:
currently,
currently reading
Watching - Arrested Development. I just adore that show, not sure if I'm liking the current season as much as the originals, but it's still quite entertaining.
Listening - Needtobreathe EP, so good! I love them a lot.
Sipping - Not much of anything. I need to up the water by 100%!
Reading - Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. It's a very captivating book. Pardon the pun. I'm also reading the third installment of Dale Cramer's The Daughters of Caleb Bender series Though Mountains Fall. It's not too bad. It's a little bit harder to get into, but I should finish it quickly.
Anticipating - Some exciting news in my family's life!
Thinking about - Needing to change my eating and active (or non-active) lifestyle.
Working On - Planning for the future.
Eating - Healthier food. I'm doing the shred again. I'll keep doing it until it becomes a lifestyle change.
Listening - Needtobreathe EP, so good! I love them a lot.
Sipping - Not much of anything. I need to up the water by 100%!
Reading - Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. It's a very captivating book. Pardon the pun. I'm also reading the third installment of Dale Cramer's The Daughters of Caleb Bender series Though Mountains Fall. It's not too bad. It's a little bit harder to get into, but I should finish it quickly.
Anticipating - Some exciting news in my family's life!
Thinking about - Needing to change my eating and active (or non-active) lifestyle.
Working On - Planning for the future.
Eating - Healthier food. I'm doing the shred again. I'll keep doing it until it becomes a lifestyle change.
22 May 2013
is my faith showing?
Labels:
faith
There are times when I didn't want to share my faith. I wanted to be the "cool" christian. Who did what everyone else did.
That got me no where fast.
Then I woke up.
The Person I was running away from was the very Person I needed to be running to.
I love Jesus, with every fiber of my being. He's my All in All.
Daily, I have to dethrone myself and let Him take reign again.
I'm not the same person I was last year, last week, or yesterday. I don't hang out with the same people. I can't. There have been a few times when all I want to do is hide in my old lifestyle. But, that tug is so much smaller then the PULL from my Savior!
What I watch, listen to, and read are different. I've purged so many things out of my life. I rarely listen to secular music, even when that itch to listen to Mumford and Sons sneaks up on me, I'm ready with a simple answer:
Philippians 4:8: Finally brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is ADMIRABLE - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
Sadly, most of their music doesn't fit into that verse.
I'm not yelling, judging, or preaching. I'm not trying to condemn or even convict. But, I am sharing my heart. I don't want this blog to be something that is superficial. I'm not superficial, so everything that represents me shouldn't be either.
I love tv, it's apparent in my old posts. The excitement for a new season of shows, the anticipation of old ones. I just can't do it anymore. There are still some things that I watch that could lead others astray, but I've been learning to spend less time on things that aren't beneficial for me.
1 Corinthians 6:12: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (NKJV)
I love how scripture helps me make decisions. There are so many things I've "dipped my toes in," and if I'd read the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit, I would have never "gotten wet." My appetite for things of this world were stronger than my appetite for Jesus.
So, now we've arrived to the title of this piece... is my faith showing?
I mean I hope so. What does that question mean?
Am I only posting about Jesus, Bible verses, and my "blessed life" via facebook, instagram, twitter, my blog, etc.?
The real answer is no. I do show my faith, I just don't let my faith show me.
What? I know you're trying to figure out that last statement.
Let me break it down: I'm not going to share my faith to be showy. I've cut down on my sharing of Bible verses on instagram because it was to get likes (BIG HONESTY MOMENT). God isn't looking to see how many "likes" I have. He's only looking at my heart. The same heart that ran away from Him. The same heart that struggles every day to surrender. The same heart that gets caught up in everything else. The same heart that adores Him and wants more than anything for that adoration to grow.
My "blessed life" is a redeemed. My life isn't just roses and fairytales, but real crap and dilemmas too.
I am who Jesus died for. I am redeemed.
That got me no where fast.
Then I woke up.
The Person I was running away from was the very Person I needed to be running to.
I love Jesus, with every fiber of my being. He's my All in All.
Daily, I have to dethrone myself and let Him take reign again.
I'm not the same person I was last year, last week, or yesterday. I don't hang out with the same people. I can't. There have been a few times when all I want to do is hide in my old lifestyle. But, that tug is so much smaller then the PULL from my Savior!
What I watch, listen to, and read are different. I've purged so many things out of my life. I rarely listen to secular music, even when that itch to listen to Mumford and Sons sneaks up on me, I'm ready with a simple answer:
Philippians 4:8: Finally brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is ADMIRABLE - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
Sadly, most of their music doesn't fit into that verse.
I'm not yelling, judging, or preaching. I'm not trying to condemn or even convict. But, I am sharing my heart. I don't want this blog to be something that is superficial. I'm not superficial, so everything that represents me shouldn't be either.
I love tv, it's apparent in my old posts. The excitement for a new season of shows, the anticipation of old ones. I just can't do it anymore. There are still some things that I watch that could lead others astray, but I've been learning to spend less time on things that aren't beneficial for me.
1 Corinthians 6:12: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (NKJV)
I love how scripture helps me make decisions. There are so many things I've "dipped my toes in," and if I'd read the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit, I would have never "gotten wet." My appetite for things of this world were stronger than my appetite for Jesus.
So, now we've arrived to the title of this piece... is my faith showing?
I mean I hope so. What does that question mean?
Am I only posting about Jesus, Bible verses, and my "blessed life" via facebook, instagram, twitter, my blog, etc.?
The real answer is no. I do show my faith, I just don't let my faith show me.
What? I know you're trying to figure out that last statement.
Let me break it down: I'm not going to share my faith to be showy. I've cut down on my sharing of Bible verses on instagram because it was to get likes (BIG HONESTY MOMENT). God isn't looking to see how many "likes" I have. He's only looking at my heart. The same heart that ran away from Him. The same heart that struggles every day to surrender. The same heart that gets caught up in everything else. The same heart that adores Him and wants more than anything for that adoration to grow.
My "blessed life" is a redeemed. My life isn't just roses and fairytales, but real crap and dilemmas too.
I am who Jesus died for. I am redeemed.
Finally brothers, think on such things: Whatever is TRUE (Lord, may I speak only the truth, and since You are Truth, may Your praise be continually on my lips), whatever is NOBLE (God, I want stand up for You), whatever is RIGHT (Jesus, may I clothed in righteousness), whatever is PURE (God, may what I think, say, and do be pure), whatever is LOVELY (I want to be known as someone who is thought of as a woman of God), whatever is ADMIRABLE (May I do something because it's the right thing to do, not for show), - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things (God, may I strive for excellence in all You have called me to do). - Amen
21 May 2013
{#renreadssummer13} Non-Fiction Book #1: Captivating
Yesterday I shared my reading goals. My reading goals are lofty! But, with my mad skills in the reading department with a little added punch, I can read most if not all.
The first on the list, of course, is:
Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John & Stasi Eldredge
I've heard many good things about this book, but had never picked it up. I almost bought it while I was in Charlotte, but something told me not to! I'm so glad I didn't, because this book was staring me in the face on a bookshelf at home!
Have you read this book? What did you think of it? You've checked out my list, right? If so, what am I missing? What have you read from that list?
The first on the list, of course, is:
Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John & Stasi Eldredge
I've heard many good things about this book, but had never picked it up. I almost bought it while I was in Charlotte, but something told me not to! I'm so glad I didn't, because this book was staring me in the face on a bookshelf at home!
Have you read this book? What did you think of it? You've checked out my list, right? If so, what am I missing? What have you read from that list?
{Follow me as I read on instagram @ren_was_here or #renreadssummer13}
I'm cataloging all my reads there and of course you can also find me at goodreads!
20 May 2013
Summer Reading List 2013
Labels:
Reading List,
Summer Reading,
Summer Reading 2013
Summer is right around the corner. It's started for some already! My first road trip starts next week with my family.
I have so many books I want to read right now... Old, new, library, ones to purchase, ones that have been collecting dust, some stored away on the Kindle.
Here are the books I'll be tackling this summer! Of course it's an advantageous list, but I'm sure I'll make a dent. I'd love to finish it, but I'm going to be realistic!
Fiction:
1-3) The Mark of the Lion Trilogy
4-6) The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
7-11) The Narnia Series - The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Last Battle
12-13) Crossed and Reached by Ally Condie
14) Though Mountains Fall by Dale Cramer
15) Pride and Prejudice
Non-Fiction:
16) Made To Crave
17) Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
18) Crazy Love
19) Radical
20) The Omnivore's Dilemma
21) The Pursuit of God
22) Boundaries in Dating
23) The Circle Maker
24) Jesus Is...
25) Captivating
26) Love Does
27) The Me I Want to Be
28) Not a Fan
29) Praying for Your Future Husband
30) Real Marriage
I won't be spending a cent on any of these! I either have it on the Kindle, own it (or my mom or sister does), or getting it from the library! Buckle your seat belts, it's going to be a literary summer!
What are you reading this summer??
I have so many books I want to read right now... Old, new, library, ones to purchase, ones that have been collecting dust, some stored away on the Kindle.
Here are the books I'll be tackling this summer! Of course it's an advantageous list, but I'm sure I'll make a dent. I'd love to finish it, but I'm going to be realistic!
Fiction:
1-3) The Mark of the Lion Trilogy
4-6) The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
7-11) The Narnia Series - The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Last Battle
12-13) Crossed and Reached by Ally Condie
14) Though Mountains Fall by Dale Cramer
15) Pride and Prejudice
Non-Fiction:
16) Made To Crave
17) Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
18) Crazy Love
19) Radical
20) The Omnivore's Dilemma
21) The Pursuit of God
22) Boundaries in Dating
23) The Circle Maker
24) Jesus Is...
25) Captivating
26) Love Does
27) The Me I Want to Be
28) Not a Fan
29) Praying for Your Future Husband
30) Real Marriage
I won't be spending a cent on any of these! I either have it on the Kindle, own it (or my mom or sister does), or getting it from the library! Buckle your seat belts, it's going to be a literary summer!
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| first one of the summer! always have a moleskine for notes (this is my mothers). I usually have a highlighter as well! |
19 May 2013
Currently
Currently I'm...
Watching - Upstairs/Downstairs - Not as good as Downton Abbey, but it's not bad. Always need some british drama in my life. I'm also watching Grey's Anatomy. I started again from the beginning. I'm currently on end of the 3rd season. The episodes will soon be new to me.
Listening - Elevation Podcast. So good, every time!
Sipping - Starbucks: Latte (soy or skim) Scooters: Soy Chai Latte and I've been sipping Kombucha at the room
Reading - Just finished The Book That Transforms Nations by Loren Cunningham. Soooo good and so powerful. It re-ignited the fire inside me! I also finished The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers. My favorite by her was Redeeming Love still. I'm starting Captivated tomorrow!
Anticipating - Vacation next week!
Thinking about - Goals that are set before me to complete!
Working On - Not eating junk while I'm traveling for work.
Eating - Besides the junk, tons of good food from the meal plan for Summer Shred. She's doing it next month as well. I'm doing it! Gotta start a lifestyle. It's not going to happen over night!
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| taken pics when i sat outside |
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| gotta b stylish even in polo's |
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| got a little sunburn on the nose |
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| no caption needed |
Watching - Upstairs/Downstairs - Not as good as Downton Abbey, but it's not bad. Always need some british drama in my life. I'm also watching Grey's Anatomy. I started again from the beginning. I'm currently on end of the 3rd season. The episodes will soon be new to me.
Listening - Elevation Podcast. So good, every time!
Sipping - Starbucks: Latte (soy or skim) Scooters: Soy Chai Latte and I've been sipping Kombucha at the room
Reading - Just finished The Book That Transforms Nations by Loren Cunningham. Soooo good and so powerful. It re-ignited the fire inside me! I also finished The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers. My favorite by her was Redeeming Love still. I'm starting Captivated tomorrow!
Anticipating - Vacation next week!
Thinking about - Goals that are set before me to complete!
Working On - Not eating junk while I'm traveling for work.
Eating - Besides the junk, tons of good food from the meal plan for Summer Shred. She's doing it next month as well. I'm doing it! Gotta start a lifestyle. It's not going to happen over night!
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