We sat at the dinner table. Writing checks. Addressing envelopes. Sticking the stamps on and throwing them in the pile. And then we walked them to the mail box together, hand in hand. With smiles.
I like paying bills together. It reminds me that God has provided for us so generously. It makes me feel adult-ish and responsible. And I really just like the idea of divying up the money and sending it where it should go. It never felt like mine in the first place.
Tonight we sat at the dinner table and paid some of our bills. We did it with disgusting cheer as we talked about the fact that not every body gets to share in that experience. We are so grateful.
And then I checked my email.
There was a message from an old friend sharing of a trying time and asking for a bit of prayer. Her situation is the exact opposite. For her family, paying bills is anything but exciting. It's scary. And it's a tough choice -- what's more important this month: electricity or water? food or medicine?
This stark contrast reminded me of similar contrasts. Some of us eat and drink lavishly. Others aren't sure if there will be anything to eat this week. Some of us go to work every day, like it or not. Others look feverishly for jobs, but come up empty-handed.
This challenges me to a more prayerful heart, a more grateful spirit and to a more generous giving.
Love acts.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Month Four: Lessons Learned
We've been married for 4 months. Four of my most favorite months ever.
What have I learned?
We have so much fun together. Playing games, watching movies, taking trips, singing in the car... life is so much richer when we get to spend it together.
Being able to both financially contribute has helped create a sense of unity and team work. I'm sure it will still feel like this when we're contributing to our family in different ways (since we'll bre working off each others' strengths) but it's nice to understand the basics of what each other goes through when we go to work 40+ hours a week.
He really is my best friend. He's the one I'm excited to tell everything to. He's the one I run my ideas past first. He's the one I always have automatic plans with. And while all that's true, I've learned even more that my girl friends are so important to me. I've learned what it's like to need them. And i hope they need me too.
We're learning to live with each other a lot more nicely now. Jeremiah always caught on pretty quickly, but I'm starting to learn how to honor him and his living space too. I can't always pick up after him. I can't expect him to be a morning person. I just know he won't notice the table that needs to be dusted every couple weeks. And that's okay. I'm learning to respect who he is as a roommate.
I'm not a terrible cook. I'm half-way decent and I actually like it. I find myself wanting to take more and more adventures in the kitchen... trying new recipes, innovating ideas on my own..
I've always been provided for. I've never really wanted something that I haven't been able to buy. Well, big purchases..sure. But if I want to start a new project, I've always felt pretty comfortable going to buy the supplies. Now, I need to save up my money to work on it later. I've learned what I value and what I think is worth spending my hard earned money on.
I look up to him to do the manly things I really would just prefer not to do. Kill spiders. Take out trash. Bring in heavy things from the car. Hang up picture frames. I'm sure I could do these if I were on my own, but it's so nice to have a big brave man to take care of them. :)
Happy 4-Month Anniversary to my best friend, my hero, my confidant, my lover. I'm so glad that you're the only person to truly see my soul. And on top of that, to love me. Thank you, darling. I love you, too.
What have I learned?
We have so much fun together. Playing games, watching movies, taking trips, singing in the car... life is so much richer when we get to spend it together.
Being able to both financially contribute has helped create a sense of unity and team work. I'm sure it will still feel like this when we're contributing to our family in different ways (since we'll bre working off each others' strengths) but it's nice to understand the basics of what each other goes through when we go to work 40+ hours a week.
He really is my best friend. He's the one I'm excited to tell everything to. He's the one I run my ideas past first. He's the one I always have automatic plans with. And while all that's true, I've learned even more that my girl friends are so important to me. I've learned what it's like to need them. And i hope they need me too.
We're learning to live with each other a lot more nicely now. Jeremiah always caught on pretty quickly, but I'm starting to learn how to honor him and his living space too. I can't always pick up after him. I can't expect him to be a morning person. I just know he won't notice the table that needs to be dusted every couple weeks. And that's okay. I'm learning to respect who he is as a roommate.
I'm not a terrible cook. I'm half-way decent and I actually like it. I find myself wanting to take more and more adventures in the kitchen... trying new recipes, innovating ideas on my own..
I've always been provided for. I've never really wanted something that I haven't been able to buy. Well, big purchases..sure. But if I want to start a new project, I've always felt pretty comfortable going to buy the supplies. Now, I need to save up my money to work on it later. I've learned what I value and what I think is worth spending my hard earned money on.
I look up to him to do the manly things I really would just prefer not to do. Kill spiders. Take out trash. Bring in heavy things from the car. Hang up picture frames. I'm sure I could do these if I were on my own, but it's so nice to have a big brave man to take care of them. :)
Happy 4-Month Anniversary to my best friend, my hero, my confidant, my lover. I'm so glad that you're the only person to truly see my soul. And on top of that, to love me. Thank you, darling. I love you, too.
Pennies Gallore
There aren't normally many pennies at the start of the week, so these cannot go unnoticed:
My gray nail polish. It's dank.
Hitting all the green lights on the way to work this morning.
Mr. Buddhs' good-bye hugs.
Listening to our Wedding Ceremony video while working.
Coming home to an empty dishwasher.
Watching my husband study in his underwear.
Otter pops & OTH.
Teeth cleaning at the dentist this morning.
The yummy smell of strawberries in my car.
Caramel Apples.
My gray nail polish. It's dank.
Hitting all the green lights on the way to work this morning.
Mr. Buddhs' good-bye hugs.
Listening to our Wedding Ceremony video while working.
Coming home to an empty dishwasher.
Watching my husband study in his underwear.
Otter pops & OTH.
Teeth cleaning at the dentist this morning.
The yummy smell of strawberries in my car.
Caramel Apples.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Happy Birthday, Stacy!
Stacy is the kind of girl you absolutely must be friends with. She has a quiet spirit and a beautiful soul. She challenges and encourages you and is as lovely as they come. And today, she's no longer 22. Happy 23rd Birthday, Stace! Can't wait to hang out on Saturday.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday in the Park
This morning Jeremiah and I rolled out of bed just before 6am and dragged ourselves to Starbucks before heading down to Balboa Park for the 20th Annual AIDS Walk. It was a beautiful picture of community with otter pops and gorgeous views to boot. We're glad we were able to remember our dear friend Earl in this special way.
After the walk, we headed down to Nick's in Ocean Beach to enjoy some California Omelets with our friend Megan. And then watched the Chargers play Miami.
I love Sundays.
After the walk, we headed down to Nick's in Ocean Beach to enjoy some California Omelets with our friend Megan. And then watched the Chargers play Miami.
I love Sundays.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
20 Questions
This lovely little planner I just made using a kit from RVA.
Thursday night Jeremiah and I made hamburgers
3. What do you miss?
College
4. What makes you laugh often?
Poona Poon
5. What's your favorite word?
Dingy
6. What are you trying to quit?
Negativity.
7. What's your favorite commercial right now?
Mac vs PC Commercials
8. Whose style do you dig?
Also Poon
9. Link to a great blog you've discovered lately...
taza-and-husband
10. What's the last craft you made?
Invitations and placecards for an upcoming dinner party
11. A photo of the last happy mail you got :]
People Magazine
12. Something you've got lately?
This delicious blue raspberry and strawberry cheesecake snow cone at the Mira Mesa Street Fair 
13. What are you looking forward to?
Our trip to San Francisco in a couple weeks
14. Post a recent snapshot of yourself.
The day before Alana's wedding
15. Recent Favorite Show?
16. Something you're working on right now?
Learning Italian
17.If a movie were made about you, who would play you?
Maybe Kate Hudson or maybe the girl from Sugarland
18. What gives you goosebumps?
Our Wedding day + My Gram
19. Share a new obsession.
20. What's the meaning of your life?
Love God, Love Others.
Friday, September 25, 2009
10 Things i love about you, Mr. Friday
1. You mark the end of the work week.
2. You sound a lot like "fun-day."
3. You mean tomorrow is filled with sunshine, the Street Fair and dinner with good friends.
4. You bring us closer to Sunday Night Football in America (and well, all weekend football).
5. You're so gosh darn far away from Monday.
6. You mean the Zion Golf & Dinner Fundraiser is here tonight.
7. You allow me to cross off three days (Fri, Sat, Sun) on my work calendar before I leave for the day.
8. You make people all around the world unite with joy, regardless of race, class or gender.
9. You come faithfully every week.
10.You're beautiful. Bottom Line.
2. You sound a lot like "fun-day."
3. You mean tomorrow is filled with sunshine, the Street Fair and dinner with good friends.
4. You bring us closer to Sunday Night Football in America (and well, all weekend football).
5. You're so gosh darn far away from Monday.
6. You mean the Zion Golf & Dinner Fundraiser is here tonight.
7. You allow me to cross off three days (Fri, Sat, Sun) on my work calendar before I leave for the day.
8. You make people all around the world unite with joy, regardless of race, class or gender.
9. You come faithfully every week.
10.You're beautiful. Bottom Line.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
God bless my Nostalgic Soul
On Friday night, I read through a lot of my journal entries from High School, starting in February 2004 when I first started to journal consistently.
Lesson Learned: God is faithful.
I like who i was back then. Not to say I'm not content with who I am now. I just really enjoyed getting re-acquainted with my seventeen-year-old self. She has a lot to offer my post-middle-class-white-girl-dark-night-of-the-soul self. Her thoughts, her prayers, her friendship. Even the simple joys she noticed in her day-to-day life.
She knew what was important in life. She didn't find her worth in the things of this world: in success or in world-defined beauty. She found herself in the deep love of God.
And I'm glad she did, because my seventeen-year-old self sure set the stage for my happily-married, life-loving self.
Ah-ha. Nostalgia pays off again.
Lesson Learned: God is faithful.
I like who i was back then. Not to say I'm not content with who I am now. I just really enjoyed getting re-acquainted with my seventeen-year-old self. She has a lot to offer my post-middle-class-white-girl-dark-night-of-the-soul self. Her thoughts, her prayers, her friendship. Even the simple joys she noticed in her day-to-day life.
She knew what was important in life. She didn't find her worth in the things of this world: in success or in world-defined beauty. She found herself in the deep love of God.
And I'm glad she did, because my seventeen-year-old self sure set the stage for my happily-married, life-loving self.
Ah-ha. Nostalgia pays off again.
Embracing "The Process"
I've often chose not to sit down to create something because I didn't have it all planned out and I was afraid of it not turning out perfectly.Forcing myself to dig in and create has encouraged me at work, in the kitchen, decorating our home, and in life pretty much as a whole.
Life is a process.
I don't always have to be perfect.
Life doesn't always have to be planned out.
And the outcome doesn't even have to match the plan.
Yet that's so drastically different from what was on OTH last night. I know, like I expect to get good life lessons from a prime time soap opera? You'd be surprised.
But last night: no. It was all about "fixing."
Brooke told Julian's dad to "fix it."
Nathan's agent (does he have a name yet?) told Nathan he'd "fix it," too.
Quinn was so afraid to be broken and Hailey consoled her by saying, "You're not broken, Quinn. We'll fix it."
But she is. She's broken. And sometimes that's so much more encouraging to hear than "fix it."
Life is a process.
I don't always have to be perfect.
Life doesn't always have to be planned out.
And the outcome doesn't even have to match the plan.
Yet that's so drastically different from what was on OTH last night. I know, like I expect to get good life lessons from a prime time soap opera? You'd be surprised.
But last night: no. It was all about "fixing."
Brooke told Julian's dad to "fix it."
Nathan's agent (does he have a name yet?) told Nathan he'd "fix it," too.
Quinn was so afraid to be broken and Hailey consoled her by saying, "You're not broken, Quinn. We'll fix it."
But she is. She's broken. And sometimes that's so much more encouraging to hear than "fix it."
Monday, September 21, 2009
Little Letters
Dear Mondays, I'm not a fan.
Dear OTH, Thanks for making Mondays better since they are so inherently evil.
Dear Grocery Store, how bout you plan the meals this week and deliver all the groceries to our door step? You could even put them away if you'd like. I tip well...
Dear Soda, I don't want to drink you, but you taste oh so good.
Dear PaperSource, can't wait for our date night.
Dear Santa, I've been real good this year....
Dear CPA Test, I'm asking you (again) to be nice to my husband. I figure if I bug you about it every day, you'll get annoyed with me and let Jeremiah pass on the first try.
Dear Cupcakes, mm.
Dear Memories, you're flooding my head lately. You are so sweet.
Dear Sissy, you're funny. I like you.
Dear Zit, please don't make your home on my face anymore. I'm not twelve anymore.
Dear New Hair Cut, I'm not sure how I feel about you yet.
Dear OTH, Thanks for making Mondays better since they are so inherently evil.
Dear Grocery Store, how bout you plan the meals this week and deliver all the groceries to our door step? You could even put them away if you'd like. I tip well...
Dear Soda, I don't want to drink you, but you taste oh so good.
Dear PaperSource, can't wait for our date night.
Dear Santa, I've been real good this year....
Dear CPA Test, I'm asking you (again) to be nice to my husband. I figure if I bug you about it every day, you'll get annoyed with me and let Jeremiah pass on the first try.
Dear Cupcakes, mm.
Dear Memories, you're flooding my head lately. You are so sweet.
Dear Sissy, you're funny. I like you.
Dear Zit, please don't make your home on my face anymore. I'm not twelve anymore.
Dear New Hair Cut, I'm not sure how I feel about you yet.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Fall into the Gap
It's actually going to be a nice little Saturday
Yesterday, I got a new haircut and we had Mom & Dad McLeod over for dinner. The menu? Pesto chicken with tomatoes and mozzarella, garlic cilantro potatoes, grilled asparagus and fresh fruit. And for dessert, pizookie. Mmm. Now if only I didn't lose at cards every time we play.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
A couple pennies for today
1. Waking my sister up this morning.
2. When I pulled into the parking lot at the mall, the car in the very first spot was leaving.
3. BOGO 50% off shoe sale.
4. I ordered some tea at Starbucks that they were out of. Instead, I got two drinks for the price of one, plus a coupon for another free drink. Thanks generous Starbucks lady. :-)
5. Washington defeating USC. Mua ha ha.
2. When I pulled into the parking lot at the mall, the car in the very first spot was leaving.
3. BOGO 50% off shoe sale.
4. I ordered some tea at Starbucks that they were out of. Instead, I got two drinks for the price of one, plus a coupon for another free drink. Thanks generous Starbucks lady. :-)
5. Washington defeating USC. Mua ha ha.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Game Night
To celebrate the end of the week nearing, we enjoyed homemade pizza tonight
as we discussed how our weeks went at work.
Then we played Yahtzee by candlelight
and listened to music from our wedding.
Bring on the weekend, baby!
as we discussed how our weeks went at work.
Then we played Yahtzee by candlelight
and listened to music from our wedding.
Bring on the weekend, baby!
Gone.
Engagement.
Weddings.
Marriage.
Children. (yes, plural)
Grad school.
PHDs.
Promotions.
Traveling.
Credentialing.
Moving.
Graduating.
Making choices.
Working. Full Time.
Lives are changing. Everywhere. Too fast. It's okay if I change, but everything else can't change to. This is a bombardment of change. Too much change. Too quickly.
Gone are the days of
eating mud on the curb outside your house
watching morning cartoons in your jammies with a bowl of cereal
playing kickball with the neighborhood kids in the coldesac
hanging out with your friends all day long
high school sports
mid-day beach trips
summer vacations
roommates
late nights and sleepless weekends
Gone are those days.
And while I'm excited for the new days to come, my nostalgic soul is weeping and fighting every bit of it. At least today.
Little Letters
Dear Nightmares, I'm not a fan of you. I'd really prefer to get some sleep so do me a favor and go away, hu?
Dear Tea Latte, you comforted me in my time of need last night. Thanks a million.
Dear Italian & My Sewing Machine, I promise I'll get back to you. I've been so caught up with other little projects that you probably feel a bit neglected. No worries, I'll attempt again soon.
Dear CPA Exam (part 1), treat my husband nicely. Please.
Dear Sharpies and Post-It Notes, I don't think I could make it through a day without you.
Dear Mr. Buddhs, we have too much fun together. I love it. Thanks for marrying me.
Dear Muscles, how bout you tighten up. I can't keep this gym thing going forever. I'm gonna need some results.
Dear My Lovely Locks, what color do you wish to be? I was getting so excited to dye you darker this weekend, but I'm not sure I can part with your blondeness. What to do...
Dear Time, freeze a little why don't ya? You're always moving too fast. Hasn't anyone ever told you to stop and smell the roses?
Dear Lost & 24, do you really need to wait until January to return to my tv set? No, didn't think so. Step it up.
Dear In-Laws, please don't make any funny faces when you come over for dinner Saturday night. All you have to do is smile and eat it. Jeremiah can tell you how it works.
Dear Shrimp Fondue at the Brig, I'm coming for you. Tomorrow. Be there or be square.
Dear Expensive Mattress, we need to spend more time together. I'll do my part, you do yours.
Dear Padres, do me a favor and get better before next season. Okay, thanks.
Dear Tea Latte, you comforted me in my time of need last night. Thanks a million.
Dear Italian & My Sewing Machine, I promise I'll get back to you. I've been so caught up with other little projects that you probably feel a bit neglected. No worries, I'll attempt again soon.
Dear CPA Exam (part 1), treat my husband nicely. Please.
Dear Sharpies and Post-It Notes, I don't think I could make it through a day without you.
Dear Mr. Buddhs, we have too much fun together. I love it. Thanks for marrying me.
Dear Muscles, how bout you tighten up. I can't keep this gym thing going forever. I'm gonna need some results.
Dear My Lovely Locks, what color do you wish to be? I was getting so excited to dye you darker this weekend, but I'm not sure I can part with your blondeness. What to do...
Dear Time, freeze a little why don't ya? You're always moving too fast. Hasn't anyone ever told you to stop and smell the roses?
Dear Lost & 24, do you really need to wait until January to return to my tv set? No, didn't think so. Step it up.
Dear In-Laws, please don't make any funny faces when you come over for dinner Saturday night. All you have to do is smile and eat it. Jeremiah can tell you how it works.
Dear Shrimp Fondue at the Brig, I'm coming for you. Tomorrow. Be there or be square.
Dear Expensive Mattress, we need to spend more time together. I'll do my part, you do yours.
Dear Padres, do me a favor and get better before next season. Okay, thanks.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
welcome home, jess
There's something so enchanting about coming home to a surprise on your doorstep.
So you might imagine my excitement when I opened up a sweet little sack from Stacy to find these little Autumn treasures. What a magical way to open the season.
Thank you, Stacy for your thoughtfulness.
So you might imagine my excitement when I opened up a sweet little sack from Stacy to find these little Autumn treasures. What a magical way to open the season.
Thank you, Stacy for your thoughtfulness.Monday, September 14, 2009
highs&lows
Because every day has em....
highs
- morning Starbucks
- that little stretch of beauty on the 5 South, just before Sea World Drive
- being able to watch the Chargers game
- fresh flowers and tomato & basil plants
- meeting some neat people at my CSM course
lows
- morning traffic
- roaming la jolla for 30 minutes to find a parking spot
- driving all the way down to Point Loma only to turn around and drive back
- standing in line behind the last person to get added to the sewing class I wanted to take
- evening traffic
- having to stop at Trader Joe's
highs
- morning Starbucks
- that little stretch of beauty on the 5 South, just before Sea World Drive
- being able to watch the Chargers game
- fresh flowers and tomato & basil plants
- meeting some neat people at my CSM course
lows
- morning traffic
- roaming la jolla for 30 minutes to find a parking spot
- driving all the way down to Point Loma only to turn around and drive back
- standing in line behind the last person to get added to the sewing class I wanted to take
- evening traffic
- having to stop at Trader Joe's
Sunday, September 13, 2009
minimoon numero dos
After Jeremiah sits for his first CPA exam in October, we'll be taking a weekend trip up to San Francisco for another little minimoon. We're going to see:
this silly lady we haven't seen since the wedding:
this dear friend of mine who moved across the country after her honeymoon in early-August: 
this quaint little town that I explored with my roommates last year at this time:
this not so golden bridge that Mr. Buddhs is yet to have seen:
and all the other lovely San Franciscan sites:
Mmm can't wait.
this silly lady we haven't seen since the wedding:
this dear friend of mine who moved across the country after her honeymoon in early-August: 
this quaint little town that I explored with my roommates last year at this time:
this not so golden bridge that Mr. Buddhs is yet to have seen:
and all the other lovely San Franciscan sites:
Mmm can't wait.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Once a blue moon, the stars align, and....
I have a good curly hair day.
I rarely have good curly hair days. Like maybe three times a year. And today is one of those days. It feels almost magical. Like I can do anything. Sad. True.
I rarely have good curly hair days. Like maybe three times a year. And today is one of those days. It feels almost magical. Like I can do anything. Sad. True.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Goes together like a horse and carriage
As a newlywed, people are often so willing to share marriage advice with you. Before you get married, you wonder when the advice will ever stop. After you get married, you cherish every bit of it and sometimes seek out more.
In an effort to commit some of this life-giving advice to memory, I thought I'd preserve it for posterity (you know, just in case we don't make much progress and our 'posterity' has to follow what we say, not what we do):
1. being content with yourself makes you a better wife
2. steal a few minutes alone together in the morning
3. never stop learning: how to let him be him, how to listen, how to be wrong, how to love, and how to be married
4. be real about who you are
5. think play sometimes, not always romance
6. embrace imperfections
7. reinvigorate the Old
8. discover the new
9. continue to find ways to express your love
10. hand-write notes
11. pray together
12. fight hard, laugh harder
13. be friends
14. respect each other
15. have fun together
16. take adventure
17. do things ot make each other smile
18. eat pancakes for breakfast
19. talk it out
20. support each other's dreams
In an effort to commit some of this life-giving advice to memory, I thought I'd preserve it for posterity (you know, just in case we don't make much progress and our 'posterity' has to follow what we say, not what we do):
1. being content with yourself makes you a better wife
2. steal a few minutes alone together in the morning
3. never stop learning: how to let him be him, how to listen, how to be wrong, how to love, and how to be married
4. be real about who you are
5. think play sometimes, not always romance
6. embrace imperfections
7. reinvigorate the Old
8. discover the new
9. continue to find ways to express your love
10. hand-write notes
11. pray together
12. fight hard, laugh harder
13. be friends
14. respect each other
15. have fun together
16. take adventure
17. do things ot make each other smile
18. eat pancakes for breakfast
19. talk it out
20. support each other's dreams
The McLeod Kitchen
Yesterday I made these little beauties to add a little more of that feels-like-home touch to our kitchen:
Laborless Weekend
[Friday]
The boss let us off work a little bit early so I grabbed a slurpee and made my way to the pool. What a great way to start the 3day weekend. I made it home in time to make dinner for the hubby and decided to clean out my filing cabinet/our spare room while he studied for the CPA.
[Saturday]
I got a bunch of chores out of the way before heading up to Escondido for a Stampin Up! Card Making Party. Did a little shopping in the afternoon and hit up Mimi's with my folks.
Attempt #1 to hang up the TV.
[Sunday]
We went out to Palm Springs for a couple days to lay in the pool and relax. The day consisted of sweets, swimming, sun, sleep. Mmm those summer days.
[Monday]
We hung out by the pool a bit before grabbing some lunch and shopping at the Cabazon Outlets. We got home in time to take my family out to dinner.
Attempt #2 to hang up the TV.
Mission Accomplished!
The boss let us off work a little bit early so I grabbed a slurpee and made my way to the pool. What a great way to start the 3day weekend. I made it home in time to make dinner for the hubby and decided to clean out my filing cabinet/our spare room while he studied for the CPA.
[Saturday]I got a bunch of chores out of the way before heading up to Escondido for a Stampin Up! Card Making Party. Did a little shopping in the afternoon and hit up Mimi's with my folks.
Attempt #1 to hang up the TV.
[Sunday]
We went out to Palm Springs for a couple days to lay in the pool and relax. The day consisted of sweets, swimming, sun, sleep. Mmm those summer days.
[Monday]We hung out by the pool a bit before grabbing some lunch and shopping at the Cabazon Outlets. We got home in time to take my family out to dinner.
Attempt #2 to hang up the TV.
Mission Accomplished!
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