Writing In Pencil

New Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:07:00 +0000

I started a new blog...because I can.

So, go check it out: Confessions of a 20-Something

Happy New Year (Four Days Late!)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:27:00 +0000

The fact that I am just getting to my new year post on January 4th might be a sign of my year is going to go. But I hope not. On Monday I started a new job. Hurray for employment! Of course, until I get my first paycheck it's going to feel like I am still an intern.

I'm still doing everything I was doing over my internship (except for homework!) and have had some more added to my schedule. I have to fill out all of the new employee paperwork and I inherited a huge stack of papers to be filed. So yea, I started the year feeling a day late and a dollar short. I am hopeful that my learning curve won't be too extreme since I have kinda been doing this for a few months. Now it is just official.

I've barely had time to think about goals this year. I know I am not going to be ambitious as I was last year because well, I wasn't very successful. I think the main things I will focus on this year are organizing and purging our home, saving money, and being the absolute best I can be at my job. I am very, very excited to see what this year brings.

I kinda feel like an adult. Weird.

Fly, Run, Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:44:00 +0000

Yesterday at church the sermon was taken from Isaiah 40. You know, the poetic those who hope in the Lord will mount up on wings as eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint.

The gist of the sermon was that we occasionally soar like eagles, and we may often run, but we can always count on God to give us the strength to take at least one step. I am graduating on sunday and I cannot think of anything that more accurately sums up how God has sustained me throughout the last eighteen months.

I don't know how I could have done it without him. There were so many days I could barely get out of bed, barely get out the door, and barely make it to class on time. There were so many times I didn't know how to start a project, didn't think I could stay awake through class, and certainly didn't think I was going to make it to the end.

Somehow I was able to wake up each morning and take just one more step. I was able to type just one more sentence on that paper I thought I couldn't start. I pressed on one project at a time and I finally finished my coursework.

And here I am within days of graduation, weeks of finishing my internship, and have a promising job prospect. Without the reminder yesterday, I might have thought I was doing this in my own strength.

Who am I kidding? People do not complete a master's program in eighteen months without some kind of help. People do not do that in their own power. Thank goodness we can count on the God who gives us the strength to take just one more step.

329/365: Thank Full

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:44:00 +0000

I'm passed out on the couch after a delicious meal and even better dessert. Feeling very thankful and full of anticipation as we enter the advent season.

327/365: Foggy Morning

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:38:00 +0000

Come on sun, burn off the fog so I can see. Please!

326/365: Starbucks Has Nothing On Me

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:31:00 +0000

I'm jumping the gun on Christmas-y things and enjoying eggnog creamer. Tastes just like an eggnog latte from Starbucks.

325/365: Goodbye Range

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:33:00 +0000

Don't mind all of those dishes in the sink....it's going to be a crazy week around here.

Oh, and yes you are looking at where the range used to be. We were having some issues with burners not lighting and what not. So they took it away to (hopefully) fix it.

324/365: Weatherized

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:27:00 +0000

Yes, we weatherized today.

And yes, we now have the redneck version of the doors and windows with the blinds inside.

Not intentionally.

323/365: It Has Begun

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:18:00 +0000

Today I have officially started Christmas shopping. I still have a ways to go since I only bought one thing. Of course, my niece Savannah will be the easiest and funnest person to shop for this year. Baby clothes are the best!

322/365: Ye Olds Bus Stop

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:22:00 +0000

Today I was back in C-U for an intern meeting and a review for the LSW licensure exam. In less than a month I will be graduating and not long after that the internship will be over and I will hopefully have a job. I had every intention of parking and feeding a meter of the School of Social Work, but yesterday I forgot to go to the bank and get a roll of quarters so I was forced to revisit my favorite bus stop.

321/365: The Heavens Display The Glory of God

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:29:00 +0000

It's not often I actually get to watch the sun set on the way home because I am usually still working long after the sun has set. Of the joy of daylight savings time. Boo. Tonight I did get to enjoy the setting sun and it did not disappoint.

320/365: Words With Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:55:00 +0000

Just some of the high points (no pun intended) of my Words With Friends conquests.

316/365: CFA

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:35:00 +0000

Today I was reunited with my long lost love, Chick-Fil-A. Hooray!

315/365: Harvest Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:12:00 +0000

Tonight Seth and I were introduced to a new restaurant, The Harvest Cafe in Delavan. All of their food is from local farms and all natural, organic, etc. I had the tomato soup and a burger and neither disappointed. We will definitely be returning!

313/365: UnCommon

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:51:00 +0000

I think my phone cover is a great way to insert a little personality into my life. Actually, my phone in general. You can really say a lot with text and ringtones. So far I love this case. It's super cute and I've even dropped it a couple times and the case has held up great.

312/365: No Help

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:48:00 +0000

I was on a tight schedule this afternoon and this very, very slow moving train did nothing to help.

311/365: Smells of the Season

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:34:00 +0000

I am loving the smell of pumpkin as the weather starts to turn cooler and actually feel like fall. So much so that I am burning candles as soon as I get up in the morning.

310/365: Best Cupcake Ever

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:31:00 +0000

Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law, Betsy. And thanks for the awesome cupcakes.

309/365: One for One

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 20:40:00 +0000

My go-to fall shoes. Flip flops are to summer as toms are to fall. I've heard they are making toms ballet flats that should come out in a few months. Yes, please.

308/365: Shopping Spree

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:38:00 +0000

There is no better way to start the weekend than by having an iTunes card burning a hole in my pocket.

307/365: One of These is Not Like The Other

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:56:00 +0000

Can you spot the difference between these two moccasins? Yea, the bow on the right is a little special. It came untied and just won't retie in a cute, attractive way. So very frustrating.

306/365: Free

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:43:00 +0000

We were fortunate enough to be the recipients of this loveseat. For free. Gotta love free stuff.

305/365: The Gift That Gives Back

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:43:00 +0000

Only 60 more days left this year!

Sadly, it took me a month to actually buy Seth's birthday present this year. It wasn't for not knowing what to buy him, but rather finding the time to sneak off and buy it without him knowing. This was very difficult since we only had one car for most of October. I finally had to set a deadline for myself and decided that one month was long enough, November 1st was the day. I just barely made it too. And I got a gift that we will both enjoy :)

304/365: Happy Haunting

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:37:00 +0000

Hodpodge Modpoge

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:15:00 +0000

October has been a big month.

I finally dealt with having to say goodbye to my car. Yes, I was way too attached. I feel like this is God teaching me to deal with holding onto things with an open hand.

I was sad to see it go, but I am realizing that this is kind of a blessing in disguise, Left to my own devices I would have never decided to get rid of my car until I was forced to. I was holding onto it for a lot of emotional reasons, when the car was not practical at all anymore.

Which brings me to the next thing that happened during October; last week we bought a new (to us) car. It's a lot bigger and roomier than my tiny ZX2, but it should serve us for many years into the future since it has fewer miles and four doors. Can I just say I am exceptionally excited to have four doors? Finally, I no longer have to worry about hitting myself in the head with my seat when letting someone in or out of the backseat. I am also looking forward to the anonymity of no longer having a personalized license plate.

I rolled over 80,000 miles just the other day on my way to work. Seth is also pretty jealous and insists on driving my car at every opportunity. Actually, it's not my car because both of our names are on the title. It's our car. How very adult of us, buying our first car together. The car we will probably buckle our children into someday. No, that's not a pregnancy announcement.

Hmm, this post has turned into a car update. Not going to lie, that's pretty much all we did this month. We were supposed to go to a few different weddings, but that got pushed aside for the more urgent necessity of needing to replace my car.

We did rearrange the apartment again, but I don't know if I'll even get pictures of it because we are already planning to rearrange again since a loveseat is being given to us. Hooray for more seating!

Maybe in November I'll get back to posting photos daily and finishing out the year strong! One can dream....