The Sepia Puppy

Wise Words Wednesday # 13

2013-10-09T08:30:00.000-04:00

This quote was submitted to me by one of my favorite bloggers and I believe my most avid reader, Mekenzie from Interiors By Kenz. She is just beyond uber talented and I absolutely love her. We met in Altanta in August when we was in town for the Haven Conference

She's tall like me!!

When she told me this quote I knew I had to make a graphic for it! What an awesome way of saying don't give up and keep striving for better!

I am definitely keeping this one on my inspiration list.

Be Like Kenz and submit a quote in the comments below
You could be featured on the next Wise Words Wednesday!

Wise Words Wednesday #15

2013-10-02T08:30:00.000-04:00

This one is so good I'm posting two different versions of it! I think sometimes we get so ahead of ourselves thinking about what's going to happen that we lose track of all that can happen in between yesterday and tomorrow. Not taking in the present, can only lead to regret down the road.

Take some time and just breathe. Be patient. Tomorrow, next week, next month, next year... They will all be here before you know it. Make sure you make something awesome to look back on in the meantime. Be Virtuous!

Want to Contribute to Wise Words Wednesday?
Suggest a Quote in the comments below!

Open Call for Testers for My Newest Creation

2013-09-26T08:43:00.001-04:00

What Time is it?!

ADVENTURE TIME!

If you creep my instagram then you may know that I started and also finished (CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!) a new crochet project this past week, despite having been swamped with schoolwork from my least favorite class I have taken these last almost two years, but that's for another post altogether, ugh...

Watching The Big Bang Theory really got me in the Geeky Mood to make Finn

Anywho, I don't know if you remember from my Halloween costume post last year, but we are big dorky fans of Adventure Time here at our house, and we thusly dressed the kids as Finn and Jake.

"Adventure in Ooo" Adventure Time Halloween Costumes for Kids

Well I decided after considering it for quite some time that I was going to dive in and make my own Finn the Human. Adventure Size.

Finn is taller thn Grace! and she's a tall 3 year-old!

This was SO. MUCH. FUN! I had such a blast designing this and writing the pattern and even though I will probably change just a couple things I am so proud of the job I did on this! (Yes, I am indeed tooting my own horn)

The kids had so much fun playing with Finn.
Tristan started drassing him up in costumes and
Grace was wrestling him.

We took Finn to visit "Bandad" and they chilled out in the recliner together

Now the question I have for you is, who would be interested in this pattern for an oversized super awesome Finn? I'm considering having a couple people test the pattern and then maybe putting it on Ravelry, what do y'all think?

Who would like to be a tester?

Wise Words Wednesday # 14

2013-09-25T08:30:00.000-04:00

This is a very valuable life lesson. This is not to say that one should never depend on others, just that no one has your best interest at heart more than, you guessed it, YOU!

When I was younger I was what I like to call a chameleon. I just morphed into whoever I spent the most time with. I took on habits I didn't actually like, I pretended to like music that I actually didn't and I pretended to like people I actually didn't like. Just to blend in. I like to think, in my own defense, that everyone has their "chameleon stage". I consider my Chameleon stage to have been a HUGE waste of time in my life. Instead of figuring out what I liked and what I was into I just adopted all my character traits from others and it delayed me figuring out who I really was. What a waste.

I love this quote because we all need to realize that WE know best for OURSELVES better than anyone, and if you follow along with someone else's plan, it will NEVER be tailored to you the way that your own would.

Suggest a quote for Wise Words Wednesday in the comments below!

My First Blogiversary Giveaway!

2013-09-15T09:29:00.001-04:00

It's The Sepia Puppy's Anniversary! Whoop-whoop!! Let's start this party with a little bit of obnoxious!

Now it's time for the good stuff!

Meet Our Giveaway Sponsors

We'll start with the Anniversary Girl:

Hello Sweetie Lovelies! My name is Bethany from The Sepia Puppy and I'm celebrating my 1st Blogiversary! I am a Wife, Mother of two, Full-time Student & Part-time Blogger. I love photography, art and all things crafty & DIY. I am working towards my B.S. in Psychology & Christian Counselling. I am smitten with my husband more everyday and my kids keep me laughing daily.

I'm Bre from Peacoats and Plaid. I'm what you might refer to as a "die-hard creator". Stay at home mommy by day and a dance teacher by night. Throw in a little diy/crafting here and there and that's me in a nutshell.

My name is Allison and "Okay, Allison" is my little blog about my little life. I say whatever is on my mind at the time, lacking pretty much any filter for what is deemed appropriate. I seem to observe humanity from a perspective that a lot of people are thinking, but would never speak aloud, or for god’s sake- write down. I love other funny girls who like to eat and take naps with puppies. I love art, music, crafting, and of course, writing. Everything I say in my blog comes from the heart, the stories are all true because I've lived them. If you like to laugh and smile, read on.

SweetDappity: Two ladies making buttons. Fahmida does the designing, Julia does the businessing - together they are the magical dual guardians of this here button emporium. You are welcome to spend your money here - or not, we don't know your life

Jamie's husband surprised her with a logo and business plan for their company Saturday Morning Pancakes and the rest is History! They make some of the coolest and funniest products and have even been featured on Good Morning America! They have a little girl together and are based out of San Clemente, California.

My name is Mrs. Victoria Aguila and I am from Los Angeles, CA and I blog over at Life as Mrs. Aguila (Faith, Hope and Treasures), about life as a Daughter of Thee King, being married to Mr. Aguila, and about being a Shoe Collector, a Makeup Junkie, a Shopping Addict and a Coffee Lover. I work full time plus have an AVON/MARK side business.

Kaz Palladino is an illustrator currently living in San Francisco. She is addicted to adorable, geeky and weird things - which is how Awkward Affections was born. Awkward Affections is about evasive love, nerdy sentiment, and fun cultural niche. The goal is to help keep beauty, nostalgia and happiness in everyday life!

Julie is the redhead that blogs at Redhead Can Decorate. Julie is from Buffalo, NY and is married to Rick, her college sweetheart, and they are blessed with two girls Daphne 13, & Valerie 11. Julie's passion is cooking and decorating their home with innovative, creative, DIY ideas. She shares all of it on her blog.

My name is Tara, I'm from Easy Makes Me Happy. I'm a wife and a mother of four. I grew up in Alaska (the beautiful and the cold) and I'm pretty sure this is where my family will grow up too. I love to crochet, design, and craft. I absolutely LOVE being able to share everything with you via this blog, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Behind every chocolate chip cookie and every sprinkled cupcake on this blog is a burgeoning photographer, an emerging entrepreneur, an experimental baker, and a social networker. I’m Ashton, the face behind Something Swanky! And I believe in doing what you love and loving what you do.

Hello! I am Kathe, with an e. I began blogging as a creative outlet. I was born in Washington state and moved with my family to Colorado as a teen. I married, had two sons, divorced and worked my butt off to make sure my boys had everything they needed. Then, I met Mr. B, He is the reason and cause of my laugh lines. Bottom line, I am a woman of a certain age that is still trying to find herself after raising two sons and finding my own true love later in life. Someday I may figure out what I want to be when I grow up! Until then, let's have some fun!

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Enter with the Rafflecopter below!

(Some people have said it doesn't come up right away, if so you may need to reload the page!)

Thanks!

Now go and ENTER YOUR BRAINS OUT!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Our First Friday Coffee Date!

2013-09-13T09:24:00.001-04:00

So after seeing Chelsea from Sunny with a Chance of Sprinkles do these little Friday coffee date vlogs I thought I just had to get in on it. I stay wanting to do vlogs, but I never know what to talk about! I emailed her and asked if it would be okay and apparently this is a much bigger thing than I once thought! TONS of folks do these and I think it's just plain adorable!

So here is our first Coffee Date. (Hopefully the first of many!)
And let me go ahead and apologize for all the hair flipping I do in this video...

Bikini Body Mommy Challenge: http://www.bikinibodymommy.com/

My Instagram: http://instagram.com/thesepiapuppy/

Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino recipe: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/08/27/skinny-pumpkin-frappuccino/

The water bottle holder pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/water-bottle-carrier-4

My Avocado Ranch Dip: http://thesepiapuppy.blogspot.com/2013/04/perfect-avocado-ranch-dip.html

BTW, How awesome is Smallville?! You can buy the whole series on Amazon

(I haven't finished the series, so please no spoilers!) This has been a saving grace for me since we ditched the dish

Are you also a chips & dip freak?

Is your daughter/son also a super copy cat?

Wise Words Wednesday #12

2013-09-11T08:30:00.000-04:00

Einstein, as we all know, was a truly brilliant man, and as we can see here from this quote, not just in the Physics arena. I think that a lot of times we get these things out of order and a little twisted. If we go on in our lives making the same mistakes over and over, not only are we wasting good sense and time, but we are also not using our most valuable resource, our own choices and memories. We are our own personal history book. If you don't learn from your past, you are doomed to repeat it, plain and simple. Next, there are too many people who don't use the present as they should, they spend it either dwelling on the past, or focusing too much on the future, or what we wish we had. This is a damnable offense, in that the only time we can live in is the present. Focusing too much on what we want in the future is different than hoping for it, hoping for the future means staying positive and planning ahead, making choices today that will help you tomorrow, that's the key.

We should never stop questioning and evaluating ourselves and those around us, what we believe, what we trust. Never be just a sheep, look for answers to your questions, don't take anything at face value, examine it! An inquisitive mind is a useful one!

Do you like Wise Words Wednesdays?
Suggest a Quote in the comments below

Wise Words Wednesday #11

2013-09-04T08:30:00.000-04:00

I used to be a pretty angry person. My dad told me a long time ago that when you stay mad and hold grudges, you're really only hurting yourself. Well of course when I was younger I thought that was just plain stupid. how is it hurting ME?! I didn't do anything wrong! Well, It took me years to finally figure out what he was talking about.

When you hold grudges against people and don't forgive, you dwell and when you dwell you just get more angry at how you can't let it go and then it starts the whole cycle over again, and then you end up projecting your anger and mistrust on other people who may not have ever done anything to hurt you, then you end up blaming them for why y'all couldn't be friends and then the whole huge stupid cycle begins again.

Forgiveness is not for the weak. Sometimes we have to really sit down an evaluate why we are withholding our forgiveness. This is not always an easy task. It's hard to turn the microscope on oneself and say, "hey what's wrong with you!?" but it is ALWAYS a learning experience when you are able to.

Forgiveness doesn't make what someone did to you all right. It doesn't take away the hurt, and it doesn't make them a better person. But it does make YOU a better person. I have found that when I forgive someone it flips a switch inside of me, and I can feel the tension rise up off of me, like a weight off of my heart. It is a true testament to one's character who can truly be forgiving.

Do you Like Wise Words Wednesday?
I am open to Suggestions for quotes,
So please, drop one in the comments below!

Homemade Restaurant Style Fried Calamari

2013-09-02T08:30:00.000-04:00

I'm gonna teach you to get Restaurant quality Calamari in the comfort of your home!

Even from the time I was a kid I have always LOVED calamari. It was my favorite thing to get when we would eat out at Italian places. If it's done right, it is just oh, so good!

Hover over this image to pin it!

Last year I saw that in the freezer section at my grocery store they have frozen raw calamari, I was shocked! You see, since we live in such a rural area, they don't carry some of the fancier or odder things because there just isn't a market for it. Anyway, I decided to be bold and buy it and I took it home and cooked it up and holy smokes, it was so easy and sooooo good. We went through it so fast it was ridiculous! Ever since then I have been wanting to make it again and do a post about it.

Well, I forgot about it.....

I try to always add something new when we have leftovers, to make if feel a little less redundant. So, Monday evening I was looking through the fridge and freezer trying to come up with something for to go with leftover spaghetti when I happened upon a package of frozen raw calamari and thought, YUP! What a perfect combination!

"Harvest Of the Sea" net wt. 16 oz.

So, Let's get started!
(This is WAY easier to pull off than you might think, and it is so worth the effort!)

Be sure to rinse your tubes and tentacles thoroughly! It gets the slimy feeling off and makes them smell and taste less fishy as well.

You may find some of these inside of your tubes, Go ahead and toss those suckers out. And don't ask me what they are... because I don't know. but you shouldn't eat them.

Nip off the pointed tips of the tubes, then slice 1/2 inch sections crosswise to make rings. You could half the tentacle sections to make them smaller, however I do not. This is just a matter of preference.

All cut up and Ready to Fry!

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My Frying Technique

I have found from trial and error some really good methods for pan frying just about anything.

I ALWAYS fry at medium-low heat (My stove goes from HIGH (10) to LOW (1), I set it between 4 and 5, It takes a little longer for the oil to heat up, but it makes for less chance of burning and overcooking.

Ordinarily you dredge the meat through the wet mixture (in this case an egg mixture) and then toss and cover them in the breading mixture then put them in the oil. However, I have mastered the art of super awesome crispiness with my Double and Triple Dipping Method:

After you finish tossing in the breading you go back and dredge it through the egg mixture again, and then toss in the breading again. Do this as many times as you like. the more times, the more breading and crispy goodness!

(This can be a messy process, to cut down on messiness designate different hands for different jobs. Like, I use my Right hand for wet stuff, left hand for dry stuff. This also keeps the dry mixture from getting too grimy)

each of these tubes was the same size before dipping and frying! Can you believe it!?

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As with any kind of frying, it takes a while doing batch after batch after batch. So, prepare yourself for that. And be sure to place on a paper towel when they are done frying to drain off any extra oil.

By my cooking method in the recipe below you should NOT have tough or gummy calamari. The breading will be crispy and crunchy and the inside will be a nice and gently chewy texture.

Perfect with spaghetti!

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- - R E C I P E - -

Ingredients:

1 Package Raw Frozen Calamari
3 Eggs
1 tsp Mayo
3 Tbsp Water
Oil (canola, vegetable, whatevs)
2 Cups all-purpose Flour
1 Cup Cornmeal Mix
3 Tbsp Garlic Salt
1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
2 tsp Mustard Powder
Salt & Pepper
Marinara sauce (for dipping)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Defrost Calamari under cold water. Rinse all tubes and tentacles thoroughly.
Cut Calamari tubes in 1/2" increments crosswise. You can cut tentacles in half, but I keep them whole. Dry on a paper towel.
Fill a frying pan to about 1/2" height with oil. Turn on medium heat and allow oil to warm up.
Combine all the dry ingredients. (I like to add tons of garlic salt, we are fiends for it around here, so you may adjust accordingly).
Beat eggs with mayo and water until thoroughly combined.
Dredge calamari through egg mixture then toss it in the dry mixture to coat completely. Repeat this step as many times as you like for the desired crunchy-crispiness. (Here is where you should consult My Frying Technique above!)
Place breaded calamari in the pan and turn when the underside becomes light golden brown, and allow other side to get golden brown as well, then remove and place on paper towels to drain remaining oil.
Try not to eat them as fast as you fry them! Serve with Marinara Sauce. (Believe it or not these are also really fantastic with my Perfect Avocado Ranch Dip too!)

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Perhaps what was even MORE amazing was how into them the Kids were! They LOVED these calamari! They didn't even care about the tentacles, That thought it was so cool! So proud of these little boogers!

adding a little corn meal to my breading mix makes for added crispiness without the graininess

This has always been one of those things I thought I could never recreate at home, But I went and proved myself wrong! Same as when I decided I wanted Sushi at home too, but that a whole other post altogether! You'll have to stay tuned for that one!

***wink wink***

Feel free to comment with any questions
Or let me know how you liked it!
Other than that ENJOY!

We Ditched the Dish

2013-08-31T11:40:00.001-04:00

Well, We did it.

We ditched the dish.

The days of recording our favorite shows and complaining about having to watch live tv are through.

With my husband's new job came new financial challenges. You may remember from this post that he is currently living in two places. An apartment that we were SO blessed to have been hooked up with, and here at home with us, 1.5 hours away from work. This new chapter in our lives has presented some new challenges, and reminded us of some old ones, not the least of which is the pay cut that we took for this job.
When I tell people how significant the pay cut was to take this new job people think that we are nuts, but let me explain: The schools here in the county we have been living in are rated between 2 and 3.... and that's out of TEN mind you! That's horrible! Don't get me wrong, this place had its uses and charms, and we are all too grateful for the opportunities that we have had here, but we have always known that this place was just a pitstop for us. The schools in our new county are rated up in the 8 and 9 range! Good gracious, what a glorious change! I know that leaving the good money and taking less all for the sake of providing our children a better education and a better community and really, a better quality of life was the righteous choice for us to make for our family, and I am proud of and stand behind that decision, no matter how hard this is.

What we've gained...

In a way, ditching the dish is something I have been secretly wanting to do for a while. Having "cable" hinders us from getting up and getting going. It keeps us from interacting as much with each other. It keeps us lazy, and it keeps us plugged into the TV when we should be plugged into each other and having quality time together.

Cable is a trap. Don't get me wrong, I am having withdrawals (to a certain extent). I hate that I missed Sister Wives on Sunday, and the finale of Top Shot All-Stars, and Futurama, and Adventure Time (lol, that's an odd collection, huh), But something I am definitely NOT going to miss is the $73 per month we were paying for it. Having cable or satellite is a luxury and not a necessity, so we kicked the dish to the curb, and we aren't looking back!

We aren't totally lost without it though, we still have tons of shows on DVD and enough movies to make your eyes bug out, and oh dear the video games! We are still able to entertain ourselves, only none of those other sources of TV fun make you feel trapped the way satellite/cable seems to. And frankly, it is so much easier to get lost in TV because there are so many choices, you can hardly step away. But with all these other things, you can only be sucked in for so long, and then you get kind of bored.

Another thing that rocks about ditching the dish is that I have gotten back into reading more. I didn't realize how much I missed it. So that's a bonus! Right now I am speeding through the 3rd installment of the Fallen series, "Passion". It's not too bad, and it's a pretty quick read. who knows what is next, I'll probably read Catching Fire again so that I can refresh my memory before the movie comes out (<---so stoked about this!). I'll probably throw the Twilight and Harry Potter books in the queue as well, I can never go too long without reading them through again.

What comes next...

I just found out this morning that another house we looked at a while back, which ended up going under contract, is back on the market. Could this one be our house?? Who knows. But Lord knows I'm on my knees daily praying for the opportunity for us all to live together again! I want so badly for us all to be together, and to be homeowners for the first time!

I know God will bless us in due time, and unfortunately for my nerves, I just need to keep praying and stay positive and most of all trust that when the right thing comes along God will set it aside for us!

I hope y'all are having a PERFECTLY AWESOME long weekend and I look forward to hearing from you

(nudge nudge comments? nudge nudge) lol

House Hunting Rocks & Sucks

2013-08-30T08:30:00.000-04:00

Hello All, and let me start by saying, UGH.

We have been on the hunt for houses in the new place where my husband got a job in June. It has been kind of a culture shock because the housing market there is much different, and you get a lot less house for your money. I get it, really I do, the schools are better there (a huge reason we chose to move there) and it's a nice place on the whole, but it just really sucks for people like us. My husband is the sole provider while I'm in school and so our income is limited, ipso facto, so are our choices.

The reason house hunting rocks is because it is so fun to go into these places and just see the differences in space and architecture. It's fun to see the way that other people decorate. It's fun to wander around the empty ones and imagining where you would put all of your stuff.

The Reason it sucks is that we have kind of run out of choices. We were on the hook for this one. Then it didn't work out because the owner was giving his current tenant first opportunity to buy and she got approved. Back to the drawing board. There are a ton of houses for sale in the area, but the average price is in the $300-500k arena..... do you know how much Cops get paid? You don't? ok, let's just say not enough to buy those, not by a long shot.

So, here we are. Dying for the opportunity to get moved into, might I add, our first home, and yet, we are coming up empty handed over and over. I just wish I knew what God had in mind for us, because I really felt in my heart of hearts that it was that one. I'm just a little lost.

Hopefully in a few months we will be able to look back at this time and understand what the purpose of this back-and-forth and all this waiting was, but as for now, I'm stumped. We are just so desperate for the change, and for the opportunity to be home owners we can taste it.

More waiting....

Sharing a Laugh

2013-08-29T08:30:00.001-04:00

I watched this video this morning and couldn't stop laughing. I just thought I would share it.

I found this through one of my favorite websites for goofiness and hilarity, Cheezburger.com

Mind you, some stuff on this site is NSFW (not safe for work) and even in this video there are a few suggestive answers to game shows questions, so viewer discretion is advised.

You should also be warned that you can, and most likely will, lose HOURS or maybe even DAYS looking at all that this site has to offer....

You have been warned!!

Wise Words Wednesday #10

2013-08-28T08:30:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, I have extreme difficulty taking off my little tunnel-vision-goggles and stopping to just take a look around at the big picture. It is so easy to get caught up in everyday crazy that we don't really look around at what is passing us by, or what is happening just outside our line of sight. We think we can control EVERYTHING and when we can't we get so angry and disillusioned with life. I personally have to override my crazy once in awhile (easier said than done) and stop and smell the proverbial roses.

It helps me as a Christian to know that there is always one constant in life, one thing I can put my finger on and say, "yeah, that's real", something, or more accurately Someone, who is a constant, who is always there and always cares and is the absolute truth of life. It's like spinning around and around as a kid and if you don't have something to keep focus on you get dizzy and out of control. But with God as the one thing to stare at and focus on, sure everything else is still crazy and spinning like mad, but he's there, keeping everything in perspective and keeping you from totally losing control. That's one of the reasons that I love this verse from Psalms 46:10, it tells me, "Hey! stop what you're doing and for Pete's sake settle down! I've got this"

If I just keep doing what I know is good and right and I just Trust in God the rest of the time it's gonna be fine.... So just settle down.

If you have suggestions for Wise Words Wednesday
Drop them in the comments below!

Meeting Bloggers in REAL Life

2013-08-23T17:10:00.002-04:00

I follow a good deal of blogs, as most bloggers do, and I will not hesitate to say I do not read every single post from every single blog I follow. Sorry. It's just not possible. Between Wifing, Momming, and Studenting (lol, how much do you love my new verbs?) I have just a tad bit of time to sit and read blogs before I have to get back to business of one form or another. That being said, a blog has to be especially fantastic for me to subscribe via email. To me, email subscription to a blog is like the most fangirl thing to do when you really love reading someone's content on the regs. I say ALL of that to say this:

There is one blog, that no matter what, I always have and always will read every single post from, and that blog is Interiors by Kenz.

I absolutely love this girl! her writing style is so fun and light it really makes you feel like you are just having coffee with her, not reading through paragraphs on a monitor. She is so creative and really versatile and extraordinarily skilled at what she does. Not only is she an awesome writer and DIY-er, but she also is so extremely well-rounded and there is more than meets the eye with this girl! She plays violin in a symphony, and she's a pilot! Like, whowhat?! When I read her about me page I was blown away, I thought, no, there is no way in heck that she is actually a real person!

As you may have read in a previous post, at the beginning of this month I got to meet my blogger idol, Mekenzie from said blog. She is just as delightful in real life as she is on the interwebs. Which brings me to my next point and back around to the title of this post.

Meeting bloggers in REAL life makes you feel a little bit like a stalker.

It's weird.

We had an awesome breakfast at the Flying Biscuit Cafe in Atlanta, over which we talked about all the things that had been going on for her at the Haven Conference that weekend and my much less exciting adventure of getting through the toll road with only $.43 thanks to an extra nice cashier, and also about the vast differences in our climates (She lives in Utah). But I found myself asking questions based on all the millions of little factoids I knew about her from reading her blog for months and months, and like I said, it makes ya feel a little bit stalkery. I talked myself out of this weird little feeling and really enjoyed being able to connect on a personal level with someone I have admired from across the country for such a long time!

Have you met a fellow blogger and felt this same sensation?
please tell me I am not alone in this!

Wise Words Wednesday #9

2013-08-21T08:30:00.000-04:00

I'm starting a new series of Wise Words today, All of which look like Chalkboards.

And really, Who doesn't love this chalkboard trend?

Enjoy!

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These are some seriously wise words from Ayn Rand, author of Atlas shrugged (among other things).

It is so easy to compare ourselves to others, and to feel jealous and resentful, but this isn't how we better ourselves. We have to really be CREATIVE to find our own way, and challenge and compete with ourselves, and not EVERYONE else around us. We need only improve and maintain ourselves to really be happy. If you go through your whole life trying to beat down other people you will never feel complete because there will always be someone else to beat down just behind them. Where as if you look only to bettering yourself then there is no limit to what you can accomplish.

Not to mention that you can keep people around to support you instead of smashing them under your boot on the way.

Do you have suggestions for Wise Words Wednesday??

I am always open to suggestions! Leave in a comment below!

Checking Up

2013-08-15T16:22:00.000-04:00

Rainy day here in GA

Well, I know apart from Wise words posts, I haven't really posted in a little while. It's been a little stressful and busy around here. We are house hunting and the like and that can be very irritating at times. We found our perfect place, but there are other complications around it that are out of our control. We are ready to go on it but we can't yet because of other people. I hate feeling like I don't have any control!

Me and my Bunny-girl hanging out

Also I am only a day from the end of summer semester so I have been busy tying up loose ends on that front and getting everything done. I just finished my final for the VERY LAST math class I ever have to take and made a 95%! holy moly!! This math class was actually kind of awesome, and I can hardly believe I am saying this! It was just cool because it was mostly statistics and really applicable stuff, like calculating interest and mortgages and whatnot, so it's really useful. Now that math is done (FOREVER!! have I emphasized that enough??) I have just one more thing to do for my other class, conversational German, and then I'm done.....

Until Monday that is. Monday marks the start of the Fall semester! As much as I would like to have a little more time off before starting new classes I just keep reminding myself that there's fall break and then christmas break on the horizon, I can hold out on super laziness until then I think. This fall I am taking Intro to Research (blech, not looking forward to that too much, but I need it for my psych major). Then I have Survey of the New Testament, which I am excited about. I get really stoked for my bible classes, they are so enriching! and then the second half of the semester I am taking Intro to Christian Counselling (again, so stoked!!) for my new cognate to my major, and last but certainly not least, Psychology of Personality. I am SO looking forward to the personality class!

scored a bunch of moving boxes the other day from local stores, so big booya there!

I have been spending a little bit of spare time packing up the odds and ends that we don't use too often and that way whenever this whole moving thing happens (dear God, let it be sooner rather than later) we will be a couple steps ahead. As for me, I am getting really worn out spending so much time apart from my husband. I feel giddy at the idea of us being able to live together for real again! and jeez Louise the money we will save from him not having to drive so much! come on big money! get back in my wallet! The hubby has been gone a week now and it really just plain stinks (don't get me wrong, it's nothing compared to the deployments and field ops we lived through, but still), but he comes home tomorrow and I am so stoked! Not only will he be home but I too will have the whole weekend off! no waking up to get Tristan ready for school, no schoolwork to do, it's gonna be awesome, and oh, so lazy!

As for today I am spending some time just being a bum. It's rainy
and a little gloomy, so I am really enjoying just hanging out and crocheting a chevron throw blanket and watching Saved by the Bell! love it!

I'm loving this this throw! although, I think I goofed it up just a little bit, but it doesn't matter too much, it's just for us.

Hope you all are doing great!

What do you like to do on Rainy days??

Wise Words Wednesday # 8

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I know that I have the issue now and then when things get difficult or tense where I look at myself and think, "Ugh, what the point?? Why am I trying so hard?!"

This verse from Galatians stays on my inspiring passages list for just that reason

So that I can look at it and remind myself,

Nothing bad can come from doing good.

Sometimes the good that can come takes longer than we may like, but it's on the way.

Just be still and wait for it.

If you like Wise Words Wednesday or have a Scripture/Quote suggestion,

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Thanks y'all!

Wise Words Wednesday # 7

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I'm off of Swifty at the moment, however, I do love this line from "Ours"

I think we have all been able to look back at how either someone treated us or how we treated someone and realized the REAL reason for the throwing of stones and felt a sheepish for not noticing it before.

I have spent a good deal of time the last couple of years seeking out people who I know I have not been as kind to as I should have been, not only to make myself feel better about my poor behavior, but also, hopefully, to give them some assurance and closure.

It's hard to admit you're a jerk.

But I have done it.

And I think all parties are better for it.

If you like Wise Words Wednesday or have a suggestion please drop it in the comments section below

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Thanks Y'all!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!

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photosource

That's right everyone, the most treasured time of year has come again! I can hardly contain my excitement or my record-button-pressing!

It's Shark Week!!!

And on behalf of the sheer awesomeness that is Shark Week I have made a roundup of some of the most awesome arts and crafts and handmade delights that the interwebs can provide!

Enjoy!

*******

The Sepia Puppy

Wise Words Wednesday # 13

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Wise Words Wednesday #15

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Open Call for Testers for My Newest Creation

What Time is it?!

Who would like to be a tester?

Wise Words Wednesday # 14

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My First Blogiversary Giveaway!

It's The Sepia Puppy's Anniversary! Whoop-whoop!! Let's start this party with a little bit of obnoxious!

Now it's time for the good stuff!

Meet Our Giveaway Sponsors

We'll start with the Anniversary Girl:

Our First Friday Coffee Date!

Wise Words Wednesday #12

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Wise Words Wednesday #11

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Homemade Restaurant Style Fried Calamari

My Frying Technique

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- - R E C I P E - -

Ingredients:

INSTRUCTIONS:

Feel free to comment with any questionsOr let me know how you liked it!Other than that ENJOY!

We Ditched the Dish

What we've gained...

What comes next...

House Hunting Rocks & Sucks

Sharing a Laugh

Wise Words Wednesday #10

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Meeting Bloggers in REAL Life

Meeting bloggers in REAL life makes you feel a little bit like a stalker.

Have you met a fellow blogger and felt this same sensation? please tell me I am not alone in this!

Wise Words Wednesday #9

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Checking Up

What do you like to do on Rainy days??

Wise Words Wednesday # 8

Wise Words Wednesday # 7

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!

Wise Words Wednesday # 6

Wise Words Wednesday # 5

Our Baby Dinosaur

Marital Hilarity

Wise Words Wednesday # 4

Awesome New {Albeit Unseasonable} Shop Items!

Be Like Kenz and submit a quote in the comments below
You could be featured on the next Wise Words Wednesday!

Want to Contribute to Wise Words Wednesday?
Suggest a Quote in the comments below!

Do you like Wise Words Wednesdays?
Suggest a Quote in the comments below

Do you Like Wise Words Wednesday?
I am open to Suggestions for quotes,
So please, drop one in the comments below!

Feel free to comment with any questions
Or let me know how you liked it!
Other than that ENJOY!

If you have suggestions for Wise Words Wednesday
Drop them in the comments below!

Have you met a fellow blogger and felt this same sensation?
please tell me I am not alone in this!