Bartender: 3-day weekends for everyoone, on me

I've never been to a bar and ordered shots for everyone and said "On me!" Actually, I don't plan to do such a thing, but if they had a forum where you could request 3-day weekends for everyone, always....I would do it! (What the on-me part would, I have no idea.) I want to hug Labor, I want to send Labor Day a card and say, "Thank you! Thank you for contributing to the well-being of working adults all over the country."
I would sign it:
xoxoxo
Sarah

It amazes me what one extra day in a weekend can do for your morale! On a regular weeknight you have this lingering feeling in your stomach that you can't quite relax yet. Sure, you're done for the day but you don't give in too easily to the beckoning "R&R" because you know there are 2, 3, 4 more days left to your week. Then hello Friday (night)! Remember TGIF? That knot in your stomach goes away and you sigh a big one: Welcome Weekend, Welcome. Well, I introduce to you the extended version of the SABO (sigh a big one): the 3 day weekend. You're liberated! Not 2 days, but 3 days of leisure (even though we know at least one of those days will be filled with errands). Unfortunately, on my first SABO of the season I was sick and am still kicking it, but boy was it a relaxing weekend!

Anyone want to start a petition to whoever "they" is to get 3-day weekends??

P.S. About that Jane Austen read-through, I'm still thinking about it. But my sister has several of the Shopaholic books. They seem fun.

Project Proposal

Hello my faithful (and unfaithful) readers! (We'll get to you unfaithful ones later.)
My sister Tabitha, Laura, and I went to see Julie & Julia on Saturday staring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. I must say... I quite enjoyed the flick! Before seeing the movie I read an interview with the lead actors and Norah Ephron (director, writer) that gave a little inside look to the film. This article was not a spoiler, rather just putting a magnifying glass above the plot, so to speak. I won't say toooo much about it for those of you who have not seen it yet. I liked how both stories (of Julie Powell and Julia Child) showed their lives as married women. They say this in the article, but so many movies are about falling-in-love, or failed marriages, divorce, etc. It was nice to watch a movie about happily married couples with regular problems, working through them.

So, obviously the premise of the movie (based on a true story) is how Julie decides to blog her way through Julia Child's cookbook. This got me thinking: Should I blog my way through Julia Child's cookbook!? That was followed by a hearty NO! Who do I think I am!? Did I have a dose of crazy this morning? Okay, so my reaction wasn't really that strong, but let's face it...it was more entertaining for you to read right? But I did think, maybe I should blog about something in particular? Maybe have a purpose to this little thing I infrequently post on? The one thought I had was to read through Jane Austen's classics and blog about it as I read it...every few chapters maybe? Again, not as a spoiler for those books...just something to do.
I probably wouldn't start this until Autumn. There's something about Jane Austen and books like hers; for me they're just meant to be read in cool/cold weather with some hot cidar or cocoa.

Does anybody have any ideas? Anyone there? I think this could be fun! Sure, it's by no means an original idea and a lot of people have blogs about specific things (decorating, cooking, photography, etc.). This would just be something for me I guess (and I suppose my faithful or unfaithful readers.)

Oh Dearest...

I have been wanting Chick-fil-a lately. That blessed chicken cuisine has been calling my name for weeks! I simply have to give in to this craving...and soon. I need my fil-a!

But, this post really has nothing to do with that. It was just on my mind. (Oh sweet, sweet chicken.) I'm in the middle of watching Pride and Prejudice right now. This is arguably the best movie of all time. I praise Jane Austen's accomplishments! Oh, and let me clear something up right now: The 90 minute "recap" of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightly a few years ago is not the flick I am speaking of. I am talking about the brilliant production done by A&E...the no holds barred (is this phrased correctly? I couldn't really remember), spare-no-detail account of this story. It is almost 6 hours long and absolutely wonderful. I started watching it while I was in bed last night but of course fell asleep (this is doomed to happen when you start such a long movie in the late night hours). So, I'm redeeming myself now with a Saturday afternoon viewing.

Sometimes I wish I lived back in those days..among society's elite in 19th century England. It seemed like, for the most part, they had their heads on a little more straigt in regards to priorities. Also, I love how they dressed and talked. People don't say things like "Oh Dearest..." anymore (actually meaning it). I wish we would...it's lovely (also an underused word). Tabitha, Rachel, and I used to watch P&P on a regular basis..staying up late at night and making an evening of it. It was so much fun! It reminds me of autumn, the fall.

Oh the fall. I'm so ready for the leaves to turn red and orange and beautiful colors! I'm ready for fall clothes, hot cider and cocoa, pumpkin carving, scarves, etc. I just love it! But...that's a whole other post on it's own.

And oh...happy August!

i shall pay a tribute

On this cloudy yet pleasant day I think it is more than appropriate to say HAPPY 4TH OF JULY or HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Even though our country has it's problems, I am still so thankful to be living here, blessed in the ways that I am, we are. It's funny, it seems like for the other 364 days a year, we feel okay to "dog" America, ridicule it's leadership and comment on what we may not know much about (that part is me), but on this 1 day we remember that we have pride in our country and we really are Proud to be an American (and on goes the song). My favorite part of this colorful holiday is of course, the Fireworks. This 4th of July, I am happy to be seeing those sparkles in the sky with my main squeeze, the man I love, the man God has ridiculously blessed me to be with: Chris.



Yesterday we celebrated our 6-month aniversary from when we started dating. However, we've known each other for about 9 months. Either way.. it seems longer! God brought him a long quite unexpectedly (which is funny considering the way we met.. but really, I didn't think that was how I would meet the man I'm gong to spend my life with). I don't think I tell him enough how much he means to me and how much I appreciate all the things about him, everything he does for me. My love language is words of affirmation (just words in general I suppose). I guess I always assumed that's how I'd show love also. However, we figured out yesterday that he is really the one who is very good with the words and giving those out. I show love by acts of service and the occasional gift. I tell him how I feel but he is much better at it than I am. God knew what he was doing when he made this guy for me! I wish I could better put into words how special he is to me. He makes me laugh, so much, and sometimes the things aren't even that funny... it's just how he says them. He can get me out of a bad mood by making me laugh or smile quicker than anyone. I admire his genuine love for the Lord and his eagerness to learn and to serve. I have so much to learn from him...I am constantly challenged! Trust me..this list goes on and on but I don't want to put too much mushiness out there in the blog-o-sphere (even though as a couple, we are very much romantics). So..to celebrate 6 months together (and has it been a crazy, whirlwind, terrific 6 months), we decided to recreate parts of our first date. We ate lunch at Houlihans at Hamilton Town Center, then went to see Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (quite good!). He even leaned over and asked to hold my hand during it (just like our first date). Since we got a late start and spend a lot of time driving, we spent the last 6 hours of our day at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) and saw The Goonies on the terrace. (IMA has this program called Summer Nights on Friday nights during the summer where they show movies on the terrace...so fun!). Tabitha and Rusty joined us for that activity and we had a lot of fun! What a great way to end our 6 month-aversary!



Chris... thank you for sweeping me off my feet and keeping your promise to not let them touch down.

commitment issues

For all intent and purposes, the title of this post really only has to do with this first mini-paragraph. My name is Sarah and I (think) I have commitment issues.... to this blog. I think that's pretty bad; it's like having a commitment issue to myself. My intentions to post are good, the time I allow myself to do so are a different story. (For those of you wondering why I keep posting about not posting and are instead thinking why doesn't she she post? Well..that's a good question and the very one that might get me out of my slump! That, and the hope that my computer will be fixed and signing on will be exciting once more rather than a 30-minute process.)
....................
We've started a new Sunday School class at church called "Living your Life as a Beautiful Offering." It's geared towards women specifically and is taught by Angela Thomas as a DVD series. Today was week 2 but already I'm falling in love with the message (based off of the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5). I guess the point of it all though is to fall back in love with my Saviour. Or grow in love really. I hate to admit it, but I've been in a slump. A slump of desperately wanting to spend time with the Lord and feeling Him call me to do so, but choosing to do other things instead. What's really difficult is that when I'm with other believers, I'm excited and passionate about the Word and wanting to talk about Christ! Then, when it's time to live it and do it on my own.... I'm dragging my feet. Why this dichotomy? If I know I'm in it can't I just pull myself out of it? It sounds so simple but has been anything but.

Today's "lesson" (I don't like to call it a lesson because that makes it sound less than what it is really, but for lack of a better word...) was pulled from Matthew 5: 6 which reads, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled." Fantastic! This is great news! But what do I do if I'm not hungering and thirsting for righteousness, for the Lord, but achingly want to be? This is the very question that was posed in the series. To my relief an answer was provided. I'm usually not one for "steps" and what she offered weren't so much steps as they were points of guidance, applicable and real. The one which resonated with me the most was that if we're at that point, we just need to "drag ourselves into (Christ's) presence anyways." Wow! This week I can actually pin-point instances when I tried to distract myself from the Lord's obvious tug on my heart! My excuse: It's late, I'm tired, I really just need to sleep. Proverbs 13:4 says, "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully blessed. " I'm incredibly humbled as I write this. As often as I hope more than 4 people read my blog, I'm secretly hoping I have an empty following, because then not as many people would read what has actually been going on in my heart recently. But faith isn't to be hidden. I need mine to come out from hiding. God doesn't call me to a lukewarm relationship with him. He has so much more for me, I can't be satisfied with a simple taste.

"....Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart Lord take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above"

too tired

I do realize that on that last post there were several errors with font, coloring, alignment, etc. Grrr... I say! Grr... I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to things like that but after trying 10 times to correct it at 10:00pm I think I'll just have to let this one go. Here's to good decisions!

salute to may

First of all, I think it's necessary and important to recorgnize this day for what it is: Memorial Day. Twe salute or heros, sung and unsung, who fought long and hard to grant us the freedom's we enjoy today...being able to say so on this blog probably being one of them! The glory first and foremost goes to the Lord of course, but we recognize those men and women as well whom He chose to use. My pastor made an intersting point this Sunday in saying that Memorial Day has seemed to go to the wayside since it became a 3-day weekend. Because now that's what it is. To be honest, I looked forward to this weekend not because Monday, today, was Memorial Day, but because it meant a 3-day weekend, and a 4-day work week to follow (I had other things to look forward to as well but will mention that later). Mostly, the day is still recognized for what it is I think, but it's starting to be clouded with hoorah's for pool openings, black and white desserts for Race Weekend and some good 'ol R&R. In an age of fast pace, "have it your way," immediate gratifications, it would serve us well to remember why we made certain holidays a holiday in the first place. I just regret I didn't dwell on this more throughout the day. Note to self. ......

Well this was quite a week! It seems like it was actually the length of 3 weeks where in reality, it was the regular 168 hours long (I suppose a little more because I'm counting in today as part of last week...since it was part of the weekend 'n all). I've waved goodbye to some old and new television favorites for the season and welcomed with open arms the new season of So You Think You Can Dance this past week! As anxious as I am to see how J.J. Abrams & friends are going to wrap up the final season of LOST, I am very happy for 20 new dancers to enter my life for a few short months! I've missed Mary Murphy's crazy screams and Hot Tamele Trains! (I am pretty sure I had a typo in there but am too lazy to check it right now). As much as I love this show it makes me frustrated because I was never able to pursue dancing. I had a taste of it in high school and absolutely loved it. In a different life, I would have been involved in dance I think. The only thing keeping me from getting up in front of my t.v. and doing the choreographed dancers along with the contestants is that I would probably drive my sister crazy for the interuption and I'm sure I would not have the energy after a day full of 4 and 5 year olds.

Speaking of 4 and 5 year olds...I had 25 of them graduate from Pre-K 2 this Wednesday! I have only been in the classroom with them a few short months but it only took a few weeks to absolutely love the silly bunch! Even though graduation was Wednesday, they are still in school through the end of this week until the summer program starts. Many of them I'll see throughout the summer, and some as they stay in our building in the fall, but I'm sad to see some go as well! I have learned so much through being in this classroom! I never knew how much you could learn about the Lord through the eyes of children...most of whom I'm not sure know the name of Jesus. In their own ways, I think they are still praising and bringing glory to Him. Absolutely beautiful.

I can't end this post without sharing the other highlight of my week/weekend. I met Chris' parents! Most of my friends have not even met Chris yet...that's a different topic...but if I haven't said it enough, this man of mine is absolutely incredible. I thought that when I first met him and tried to convince myself that was just first impression maybe and it might wear off a tiny bit. But nope! God continues to bless me through him daily and I can't help but praise Him for it! I'm blessed enough to love and be loved by someone amazing. And this weekend I got to see where he gets some of that! It was a pleasure to meet his parents weekend...as nervous as I was about it. I was excited, but lets face it...meeting the parents will always have a tiny bit of nerves at least to go along with it. We all had dinner Friday night and slipped into conversation and laughing quite easily. I had the chance to have breakfast one-on-one with his Mom Saturday morning and that proved to be a real blessing. I could tell she genuinelly wanted to get to know me and that was nice. She had a lot of wisdom to share as well...thank you Cindy :) We spent more time, the 4 of us, on Saturday evening then wrapped up by going to Cincinnati today for a Reds game...my first Major League game! This family loves baseball and I'm excited to be getting into it more as well. Unfortunately, heavy rain hit in the 4th inning and we decided to go home. But it was still a lot of fun! We sat in the rain with our poncho's and umbrellas for a while before everyone fled to take cover from the down-pour. before the rain we did manage to get some good pictures! Thanks to his parents, Chris and I finally have some pictures of the 2 of us :)

Below I'm posting some pictures of today. Enjoy and see you soon!

Before the game started, on one of the upper decks

These were our seats! They were right behind home plate!

This was shortly before it started raining. I'm glad we got it in!

These $2 Ponchos were a life-saver! Too bad they couldn't cover
the whole park from the rain.

i have a blog and her name is beautiful

I decided it was time for a change. I'm reviving my life as a blogger and as such decided it was time for a template face-lift. I must say I'm happy with how it looks! Of course, I can not take the credit for it's design, only for what fills it's space (which, let's face it, is way more important : ) I am hoping that having a blog that I will actually enjoy looking at, I'll be even the slightest bit more inclined to post on it from time to time; maybe even more than twice a year! But I'll keep my expectations low to start with. I don't want to overwhelm myself early one. My goal: once a week. I will be impressed if I remember to do it this often and will be delighted if I advance to multiple postings in a week. I think I have some wonderful "blogettes" to live up to however, my sister and Amber being only two of them. I'm looking forward to this new commitment to the blog world and hope to see many more of you there with me.

Speaking of commitments, I need to read a new book this month. Chris has insisted upon Black by Ted Dekker. Once I'm done with this series, any suggestions? I am wide open, ready for your suggestions... you could say I'm an open book! Ha....oh dear, I think it's time for bed.

Nearly 6 months later...

I am back! For any of you who have stuck with me through my 6 month hiatus from the blog world...my hats of to you! That is committment! I really have no excuse for not blogging. I've just been filling my time with lots of things (one of them not blogging I guess). I really should get back here though, now that I remembered my user name and password!

So, my sister, Tabitha, has started this tag. Instead of doing "Your Top 3..." and things of the like to get to know each other, she has suggested to really get to know one another we look at our guilty pleasures. So friends...I would ask you, what is your guilty pleasure? I have to say that I have 3. Celebrity Gossip is the first...and I'm not too embarrassed to admit that; every now and then I just have to flip through that magazine in the checkout aisle or read the omg feature that all the celebrity links go to. I will also say I like High School Musical with all it's cheese! And I have been known to watch Disney Chanel shows now and then.

So this entry was just an appearance I suppose with real posts to follow. You have to start back slowly with these things ya know! Also, The Office is starting and that takes Priority (yes, capital P) at 9:00 on Thursday nights.