Currently

These are some of my favorite posts because I can clue you in on what's going on. And sometimes I even get a response!

How is everything? Busy on this end! But I can report that my room is almost finished. I receive my first guest next month, so I should be done with my room, minus some decorations. I have my eyes on some prints online, but need to put some money in the "decorate my room fund." 

Currently I'm....

Reading: It Starts With Food by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig. Very good. I started my paleo "diet" yesterday. It's a 30 Day challenge called the WHOLE 30. You should check it out!

Watching: Just caught up with Revenge and Scandal (what biblicial names...) Both very good shows. I like intrigue. Now, I'm back on the grind with The Vampire Diaries. This is one of those shows, that I hate to love, but, again the intrigue.

Listening: Nothing really. A little bit of Air 1 radio and NPR.

Wishing: I could make friends faster. It's hard. Work people aren't too bad, but once I settle into a church I'm sure I'll find friends. I've been praying for Godly ones.

Thinking: About all the challenges I'm working on! #30 Lists is almost over, I'm a tad bit behind, but will catch up tonight. I'm also thinking about my October challenge 30 Days. I'll have to blog about both of those. I'm almost done with a 1.5 year project. A crochet blanket for my mom and have bought my next stash for a blanket for my brother. I'm stepping into new territory for his, it's going to be a chevron blanket!

Praying: I'm turning the tables. I'm asking for prayer this week. For contentment. I'm always off and ready for the "next thing," and not living in the now. I need contentment and satisfaction where I am (not settling, but rejoicing in where God has me.)

Browsing: I've found a lot of new blogs, that I add to a list I never see. I really need to work on that. Of course, instagram and pinterest everyday!

Sipping: Tons of water and black coffee.

Eating: Whole 30 Diet

Loving: Arizona

What are you CURRENTLY doing?

Check out my instagram for more of my week!

This is how we do it

"It's Friday night..."

Haha. Not really. It's Wednesday night.

Right now, I'm waiting for my iphone to load the new ios software. It's taking entirely too long in my opinion. But, I'm pretty sure the wait is worth it.

Today I wanted to talk about wasted time.

I know I waste a lot of it...

1. Instagram
2. Facebook
3. Pinterest
4. Instagram
5. Pinterest
6. Hulu/Netflix/Amazon Prime

You get the idea! I'm forever not doing what I should or could be doing because I'm doing something else. That's a mouthful.

What could I be doing:

reading, cleaning, crocheting...

I've gotten better at not wasting time. But, I do have down time. I'm worn out at the end of the day. This week I really have been working on getting my "to do list" done! I even made a master list of projects I'm currently working on. Let's just say this list is massive.

What have been up to this week:
budgeting, cleaning, organizing, planning, reading... It's been good. I'm not at 100% but I'm much better than the nothings of yesterdays.

What am I trying to say? It's not bad to be on social media. But, there are times when being social is the last thing you need to do... You need to get your rear into gear, get your work done, so you can do those things you say you never get to do.

I dare you to try it for a week. Tell me how it went!

Phoenix

So far I've...

Lived in two places.

Bought a car.

Started a job.

Made friends.

Found the perfect coffee shop.

Gained a little bit of weight.

Avoided swimming in pools - even our own.

Made friends with my brothers dog.

Supported a co-worker by going to his show.

Not read enough.

Blogged very little.

Enjoyed really good food and very bad food.

So far I've really enjoyed Phoenix!

Why I'm Overloaded and What I Need To Do About It

Yeesh! That was a long title. It sums up my life. I've not prioritized this blog, thus, this blog has fallen by the wayside yet again. But, I can't apologize. Not this time.

I promised to do another book review, which the book has been read, I just haven't "gotten around" to writing the post. It's not that I don't want to, I just don't want to write anything right now.

My sister said she missed my posts. I miss writing, but I've learned as I read a new book "It Starts With Food", my food choices are making my cycle of barely sleeping, waking up groggy, going through the day grouchy, and passing out only to have a fitful night sleep is starting to take a toll on my body.

I've gained weight like nobody's business. I'm ignoring the budget -- And I dread opening up my laptop unless it's Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or Gap.com. I'm obsessed with their cords. Of course the 40% ends tonight. But, I don't feel I can spend anymore money on clothes until I start eating better. Why reward yourself for bad behavior?

I've been sort of involving myself with Ali Edwards #aweekinthelife. It's basically a time to document your entire week. I do well except for the pictures part, since it's not a good idea to take pics of work and share them on social media.

There have been three constants in my life outside of work: devotions with #shereadstruth, listing with #30lists (this is the farthest I've gotten), and my daily Starbucks run!

Now Starbucks is a hard subject to talk about. I love it, even though those frou frou drinks are slowly killing me. Really, they are. I promise! But, somehow I reward myself for bad behavior with bad behavior... It's a vicious cycle.

My MANDATORY todo list is falling by the wayside. In order to change, I must be willing to change. And, I'm going to honestly blame it with my diet. In a couple weeks I'm starting the #Whole30 Paleo Diet (eating habits are changing not dieting!), this is from the book I mentioned earlier. I betcha almost everything starts with food.

It's 9:36 pm and way past my bed time and I still have to layout clothes for tomorrow! Have a blessed Wednesday! (HUMP DAY!)

Currently

My sister said she missed my blog posts! So, I at least know I have one reader (I'm just kidding, I know I have 2).

So I thought I'd catch up with a currently post!

Currently I'm...

Reading: It Starts With Food. This book may change my life. I may also be doing a 30 day Paleo challenge... We will wait and see!

Watching: Revenge and House

Listening: Boundless Podcast

Wishing: My room was finished. It's almost there.

Thinking: I should get some prints for my room.

Praying: Continually for my friend Megan and for Cambodia. And my friend Alexa is doing much better! Let’s add my friend Melissa to this list!.

Browsing: Gilt and Nordstrom Rack... Definitely browser shopping... Can't afford what I want. :)

Sipping: You know what I'm about to say... PSL - PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES! <3 span="" starbucks="">

Eating: nothing special

Loving: Everything floral! and #30lists

What are you CURRENTLY doing?

Check out my instagram for more of my week!

Currently

Reading: Crossed by ally condy. Also, still working on a book review!

Watching: He's Just Not That Into You. I love this movie, actually sitting, watching it right now with my grandmother.

Listening: Boundless Podcast

Wishing: I had plans for the holiday weekend.

Thinking: I need to find some friends.

Praying: Continually for my friend Megan and for Cambodia.

Browsing: My emails. I'm swamped with them right now!

Sipping: Coffee and Pop... er I mean Soda.

Eating: Ice Cream bars.

Loving: Notebooks. I've purchased too many in the past few days!!

What are you CURRENTLY doing?

Check out my instagram for more of my week!

Virtual Coffee Date

I've had posts already planned out. But because of lack of time and quite honestly, lack of motivation, I've been failing in that area. But, that doesn't mean I can't blog every weekday! I'm linking up with Carly Skinner, over at Carlyskinner.com.

If you were to come over for coffee, I'd honestly be relieved to see someone I don't live or work with. I'd probably spill all the treasures Jesus has shared with me that week.

If you were to come over for coffee, we might have to sit in the blazing heat because the apartment, at times, gets mighty chilly!

If you were to come over for coffee, I'd mention how I completely under packed and even made a few shopping runs to Target for some business casual attire. I would also pull out said clothes and see what you thought.

I'd also tell you I still have no heels and will have to shell out some money for those.

I'd let you know that I'm already tired and it's only Wednesday. 

I'd let you know I'm planning a trip to Los Angeles in a few weeks to see a dear friend, and that I need to set money aside for that weekend! 

I'd share where I was failing: healthy eating, returning texts, not exercising. And where I was succeeding: blogging, eating breakfast, getting up early.

If you were to come over for coffee, it would have to be decaf after 4pm!

Wow, we would have a great time! If we were having coffee, what would you share? 

You are your brand

That was spoken to us in our first day of training. And it's so true. The way you dress, how you present yourself, what comes out of your mouth, who you associate with. We are all brands. Of course that meant taking a bit more time in the mirror this morning. But as I was putting on my makeup, Jesus spoke. He said I was of His brand. People can either see me as Lauren or Lauren daughter of the King of Kings. 

It reminded me yesterday and the activity we had. It was a bingo of sorts. You know the game. You walk around the room trying to fun people who fit the description in one of the boxes. When people asked what my favorite music was I blatantly held my tongue, paused and said classical. Don't get me wrong, I like classical, but worship music is my favorite. I had lied. I had denied Christ and each time the question was asked, it became easier and easier to tell that lie.

I don't want to be that person. Lying about my best friend. Just needed to share.

How are you branding yourself? Do people know you love Jesus? Or do you blend in with everyone else?

This was not the planned post, but I thought it was fitting. By the way, I had a great first day of work!

Game face for day 2!

Currently

Today I start my new job. It’s sort of new. I’ve worked for this company for two summers as a seasonal employee, but I took the leap and will be working full time! I’m a little giddy with anticipation.

Reading: Finally started digging into The Fellowship of the Ring. I forgot how different it is from the Peter Jackson adaptation. His movie was beautiful but very lacking. I’m also working on another book review! This book is surprisingly good for a non-fiction read.

Watching: This past weekend I took a bit of a media fast except if I was spending time with family. We watched a lot of TLC. I’m kind of glad we don’t normally have cable (we’re living in an apartment until our house is ready.)

Listening: Of King and Country via Spotify. This band is great! Did you know you could listen to almost any album known to man on Spotify for free?? You should check it out.

Wishing: My grandmother was here already. She joins for a couple of weeks on Wednesday!

Thinking: As hard as it is to just check my email on my phone, I’m liking the silence of not having to check every minute detail of facebook, instagram, pinterest and all the rest.

Praying: Continually for my friend Megan and for Cambodia. And my friend Alexa is doing much better! Let’s add my friend Melissa to this list!.

Browsing: Women blogging conferences. I think I’m going to try to go to at least one next year!

Sipping: Starbucks Caramel Macchiato -- Got two cartons for $3.50 each. This should last me a week! Instead of picking up a coffee for more than that every day!

Eating: This weekend we went to a great Italian restaurant called Oregano’s. I got the lasagna. It was great! We also got to eat with one of my sister’s good friends from Nebraska! The atmosphere is set back in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s with great music and old tv shows and movies playing on the tv screens.

Loving: My Target Cartwheel app. I actually saved money! On things that were already on sale as well.

Pictures of this week:

3rd time's a charm. Right? Starts september 1st. Click the button on the side bar!

My sister and her friend! *Sorry the picture is so dark*

half eaten lasagna! so good

delish coffee at my new favorite coffee shop in phoenix, too bad it's so far away.

Just finished up another She Reads Truth Devotional (click button on sidebar) So good!

I got to see my very good friend Brittany! I love this girl a lot!

Menu from Oregano's

What are you CURRENTLY doing?

Check out my instagram for more of my week!

Is this mic on?

Can we just talk for a minute?

Life couldn't be more real then it is right now. Except that time I went to Cambodia. But yeah that's about it.

I am a person of ideas. I have so many, I'm surprised my brain hasn't exploded! 

I'm the idea maker. Of all my ideas I execute maybe 25% of those. And only follow through on 5%. I haven't put too much time in figuring out all the figures, but I think you know what I mean.

I don't have to go very far to find all the big ideas. Every blog series on here has failed, I barely read and my list was extensive this summer, my crocheting is minimal (I've been working on the same project for over a year), and any 30 day project I've joined loses its fizzle around day 7. That being said, I'm not giving up. I love writing, reading, crafting annd joining in on "30 day" projects. I just need a push.

That push came. I need to get serious if I want this blog to become a dot com and be a source of income. I need to carve out time to read and craft. And if I say I'm going to do something via the blog or anywhere else, I'm going to do it.

So many plans for this place and no motivation. I start work on Monday which will leave me less time. I need to get my rear into gear! I can do this, work a 9-5 job while writing a blog with good content and other things! I miss sharing more if my life. I miss the baking and the tutorials. Today, I'm working at Barnes and Noble and hashing out a 6 month plan of where I want to see the blog! I'll also be posting more personal stuff!! 

Huge sigh of relief. 

What do you like about the blog??

Yes I'm cheesy!