Girl from the North Country

Follow my new blog! :)

2010-02-25T09:15:00.001-06:00

ayankeeinmississippi.blogspot.com

New posts @ my new blog!

2010-02-13T19:21:00.002-06:00

ayankeeinmississippi.blogspot.com

New blog!!!

2010-02-09T21:28:00.004-06:00

Okay, so I decided having my name in the title of my blog isn't so smart, so I am changing my blog...to all my readers, please bookmark or follow my new blog! See you over there shortly!

ayankeeinmississippi.blogspot.com

imagine that...it wasn't already taken!!! (ha ha)

No more office job

2010-02-08T18:40:00.002-06:00

Well, I'm free. I will officially now be self employed and be employed by only arts programs and small schools. :) I love this. I am already making big plans to sew again, knit again, paint again, and make jewelry again. All things I love dearly that I haven't been able to do since last summer! I am so excited to have a life again, have time to spend a little time doing things I want to do, etc.!

I also am going to re-vamp my kitchen, decor/organization-wise and food-wise. We are eating low-carb foods only, and I am trying to balance food on a budget (diets are expensive!!!). We moved in here only a week before we went on vacation. A day after that, I started my job. Embarrassingly enough, I still have major unpacking/sorting to do! And if I don't do it now, I won't do it because for all I know, we may be moving out of this place as soon as May 2011.

My salary was very low anyways (understandably since it was a church position), and if we budget, we will be fine. We love playing games together, etc. so we'll be fine. The big thing for me is trying to do a low-carb diet on a very tight budget...that is hard!

Things I am saving up for right now: new strings and a violin bow...I have a so-so violin (it was "only" $1,000) that I have been playing dozens of weddings and teaching with my spare viola bow...believe it or not, I don't own a violin bow! I took violin lessons for the first time again my senior year of college, and now that is the primary instrument I use. It's so frustrating that I can't get a beautiful sound that I imagine in my head out on the violin. A bow would do a world of difference. Someday I will be able to buy a violin bow for my violin, but right now, that's not an option which makes it difficult to play (my viola bow is very heavy, skids, and sounds pretty rough). If I wasn't so in love with my viola, I would sell it and get two mediochre instruments, but that's not happening. My viola was a steal, and I would be losing an awesome instrument that I got for a great price. Plus, my mom helped me pick it out. These are things to look forward to being able to get in the future. It's hard being in the place that I can't save money because we need all of it. I know everyone has been there, and it's a good but hard place to be. I am sure someday I will play my viola a lot...in this small town, the viola is not needed very often. Most weddings call for 2 violins and a cello (and that's the trio music I own). There isn't a paid orchestra nearby, other than the Tupelo Symphony which I get called to do a gig once in a while.

I decided to keep my chops up, I am going to go through old books and find something I have never played (on viola and violin). It is such a great outlet for me. I absolutely love music, and love pouring my emotions into playing lots of different instruments..You could say Madison & I love instruments... ha ha! I have a red electric violin, my violin, my viola, an ibanez electric that I really need to sell, a fender telecaster, a baby taylor guitar, a piano, and Madison has an electric/acoustic guitar, a fender strat, and a violin (and soon, a mandolin!)...so that is 10 going on 11 instruments in our house...

I have a lot of plans, and I will be keeping myself accountable by blogging my progress on these things, now that I will be teaching part time and having time to do things once in a while! First on my agenda for the next two weeks is getting our awfully messy house whipped into shape! It's so messy, it's embarrassing!!!

Accident prone much?

2010-02-03T10:14:00.005-06:00

in less than a week I have...

1. Been bit by a rabbit AND a dog in 1 day
2. Flipped my office chair and hit my head on Madison's guitar amp (while trying to get a pistachio shell out of my puppy's mouth...)
3. Burnt my wrist VERY badly with boiling tea from Bottletree...(they didn't put the top on all of the way!)

I hope the rest of this week gives me more luck :)

The cat is out of the bag...

2010-01-30T21:17:00.003-06:00

Ok, so now I can say what my decision was. I resigned from my position at the church I was working at. There were many factors, but it was certainly a difficult decision to make. I am feeling more and more okay with my decision as time passes. My last day is February 7. I really felt spread too thin and my health, among other factors, was really taken a hit. I can now focus on teaching, and although money will be really tight, I/we will be happy, so that's a very good thing. It's difficult barely making enough to pay rent, bills, and food, and not having any extra for trips, movies out, eating out, or clothes, but happiness is more important than all those things. I am currently advertising and getting the word out about my chamber group and lessons, and will be self employed again (and employed by 2 community schools). :)

So, there you go - - that's my big news of the day!

Best Baked Chicken I've Ever Had

2010-01-30T14:45:00.005-06:00

It's called Forbidden City Chicken...it is amazing!

What you need:

Chicken (I hate the look of raw chicken, so I didn't put it in the picture haha).

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, (or use 8 thighs)
3 T butter, or oil
2 tsp. Madras Curry powder
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. garlic
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 T Splenda brown sugar blend (or if you're not dieting, regular brown sugar)
1/4 C soy sauce
2 T chicken stock or water

Melt butter or heat oil in small pan, turn off heat. Stir in curry powder, ginger, garlic and cinnamon. Add soy sauce, Splenda blend, and chicken stock. Stir until well combined. Let cool if it is very hot.

Trim all visible fat and and tendons from chicken. Make small crosswise slits about 1/2 inch apart down the length of each piece of chicken. (This allows marinade to penetrate more.) Put chicken in zip-loc bag and pour marinade over. Marinate 6-8 hours.

To cook, preheat oven to 325. (350 if using thighs.) Remove chicken from marinade and place in glass dish that you have sprayed with nonstick spray, skin side down. (Save marinade in plastic bag.) Cook 20 minutes.

Turn and brush side facing up with reserved marinade. Cook 20-30 minutes more, until chicken is starting to brown and feels firm. Watch it carefully the last 15-20 minutes of cooking time because the sugar in the marinade can burn quite easily and ovens vary a great deal in actual temperatures. Turn it down if it seems to be getting too browned.

Enjoy!

Deviled Eggs

2010-01-30T14:37:00.005-06:00

This is a low-carb snack that we love! And very easy to make.

My recipe is as follows:

Boil the eggs (I think I boil mine for about 8 minutes)
Peel the eggs and cut them lengthwise in half.
Pop the yolks out of the eggs and place in a bowl.
I don't really measure, but these are basically the measurements. You can't mess this up :)
Mix 3 heaping of T light or regular mayo, 1t of vinegar, salt, pepper, and 1.5 teaspoons of honey mustard. Add more mayo if it's not creamy enough.
Whip the ingredients with a fork, and spoon back into the egg whites. Sprinkle with paprika, and garnish with a little bit of parsley if you would like.

Enjoy!

I'm Back!!! Slow cooked peppercorn steak

2010-01-30T14:20:00.005-06:00

Just to let you know, we are on the south beach diet. Some of these recipes have been on my poor camera for a VERY long time so not all of them are completely south beach...I am going to post a bunch of recipes in different blog posts today.

This first one was DELICIOUS!

I would have never thought to make a steak of any kind in the crock pot. As a busy couple, we use our crock pot at least 3x/week. The crock pot can be used in many different ways, to cook just about anything! It seems to be the only safe thing to be cooking while you're gone. I just turn it on before we leave in the morning, and the smell of tasty food is strong as I come in the door! All I have to do is serve it up at that point!

On to the recipe...
Peppercorn Steak (4 servings)

4-6 steaks (use whatever is one sale, it will tenderize nicely)
2 chopped bell peppers (I used orange)
1 yellow onion, chopped (I chopped mine very fine, like I did here.)
8 ounces of sliced mushrooms (I opted out of this one, since we are not big mushroom fans!)
1 cup tomato sauce (I used one that had very little sugar content)
1/2 cup Worchestershire sauce
1/4 cup water
1 T Italian seasoning
1/4 t black pepper

D I R E C T I O N S:

Put the meat into the stoneware. Cover with the chopped veggies. Pour in tomato sauce, Worchestershire, and water. Add Italian seasoning and black pepper (no need to stir). Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours, or on high for 4-6.

Madison & I LOVED this and definitely will make it for a special treat once in a while!

2010-01-28T14:32:00.002-06:00

I have lots of wonderful recipes to post! If only I would get a chance to post them! Recipes coming soon...(maybe tomorrow!)

Wings w/ homemade ranch dipping sauce

2010-01-19T20:49:00.000-06:00

I tried something from the low-carb cookbook I bought at a bargain bookstore in Wheaton. I normally wouldn't make something like wings, but we had some range-free hormone-free chicken wings from the "chicken man" as Madison calls him. He sells chicken at the farmer's market we play at, and gave us some frozen chicken as our tip from him!

Back to the chicken...this chicken was GOOD! I may use the marinade on boneless chicken breasts next time.

These were only 4 carbs with the dipping sauce! (per 2 wings)

Preheat your oven to 450*F.

Ranch dipping sauce:
1/2 cup light mayo
1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Combine above ingredients in small bowl.

Combine 2 Tablespoons of orange juice, 1 teaspoon of sugar (I used splenda), 1 teaspoon of dried thyme leaves, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in small bowl.

Cut tips from wings; discard. Place wings in large bowl. Drizzle with orange juice mixture; toss to coat.

Transfer chicken to greased broiler pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until juices run clear and skin is crisp. Serve with ranch dipping sauce.

Scarce around here

2010-01-19T20:12:00.002-06:00

Us T's have been very busy lately! Madison is preparing for a national moot court competition at Vandy, as well as writing-on for the law journal...I seriously have hardly been able to exchange words with him for a long time now. Usually the first part of the semester is fun and laid back, but not this one! He has been working on moot court and now law journal since exams finished! :( I keep on just telling myself it will be worth it someday when he's a lawyer. It's difficult being married to a law student, but I obviously wouldn't have it any other way. I have been going to bed by myself for a really long time, thanks to moot court and law journal...boo...at least lady keeps me company :) Sweet girl. She's so much fun! I think it makes it difficult that I work so much too...so it's not like I'm at home waiting for him to come home...I'm at work from 8am until 6 or 7p right now...and one day a week, 8a-10:30p straight! It is all worth it to be providing for our little family right now.
I just completed my first bridal expo! It was exhausting but worth it, I think! There were 1,000 people there...I talked to hundreds of people from 12:30-5pm. I got ideas from my mother-in-law on how to decorate the booth, did the booth by myself, carted everything to the car (5 trips of heavy stuff!). I have been getting good feedback and bookings from it. It's hard to break through in this town as a musician, and it was a risk I was willing to take.
My house is in bad shape, seeing I get home and make dinner and then pass out. I have been going to bed in between 9 & 11 but mostly earlier. I don't know why I am so exhausted all of the time! It's weird!

I haven't seen any friends in forever! I am buried in work right now, because I'm taking on more students, I'm a contractor/coordinator for wedding musicians, and I am working a full-time 8-4 job. I will be happy when I have a little Liz time...:) I have so many projects I have been jotting down and dreaming of, just not a minute to do them!

Well, it's 8:30 and I'm exhausted. I worked a full day, made breakfast & dinner, contracted 2 weddings, and taught 5 students!

Hope all is well with my readers :) I am going to post some food posts that I have been storing that are nearly finished! Enjoy!!
Lizzie

Delicious Lemon Pasta w/ Shrimp

2010-01-09T11:47:00.003-06:00

Madison's Nana gave me 2 large cookbooks of her favorite recipes. This is one that I make on special occasions. It is fairly easy, and is divine. The first time I made it was when she left me all the ingredients, including fresh shrimp, when we stayed at their beach house in Florida. I have made it 2 times this year since.

Her recipe calls for fettuccine, which is what I used the first 2 times. This time, I used a lemon pasta that you can find in Kroger, or wherever you shop. Both ways were very good.

WHAT YOU NEED:
Butter
Shrimp (1-1.5 lb)
Raw onion or green onion (chopped very fine)
Green onion top (chopped very fine)
Parsley
Seafood seasoning or Tony's
Flour (1-2 T)
Pepper (ground)
Salt
Fettucine noodles or lemon noodles
Heavy cream or half & half
White wine

DIRECTIONS:
Melt butter in a large skillet. In the butter, saute 1-1.5 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, raw onion or green onion (chopped very fine), green onion top, (chopped very fine) and parsley. Sprinkle the shrimp rather heavily with seafood seasoning. Sprinkle over the top of all ingredients in the skillet, 1-2 tablespoons of flour.
Stir all together to saute until shrimp have turned pink. Salt very lightly and pepper.
Meanwhile, in a separate pot of salted water, cook the noodles per directions on the package. When done, drain and reserve. To the sauteed shrimp and veggies, (after the shrimp turn pink), add heavy cream or half & half and white wine. Sprinkle with more seafood seasoning. Add more cream and wine if needed. Stir in cooked noodles and serve immediately. If desired, sprinkle with fresh grated parmesan. For variation, cook fresh asparagus tips with the noodles.

how to cut an onion

2010-01-09T11:21:00.008-06:00

I do not know proper names and such as far as the onion goes, but I learned how to cut an onion from my sister who learned it in a cooking class...let me just say that it was life-changing, and if you don't know this already, it will be life-changing for you as well, as long as you use any recipes for cut up onion.

First, peel the onion all the way. Don't cut anything yet. Then:

1. Cut the top off (the top that has the stuff sticking up, not the rough other end)

2. Put the side you just cut, face down. Put a large, sharp knife through that root looking thing (I told you I didn't know anything about onions!)

3. Place one of the cut halves on the cutting board like this:

4. Do you see all those ridges in the onion? Now you cut along the edges of those. It should stay all in place when you take the knife out...I usually use my big veggie knife with the ridges, but it was used for something else right before this.

5. After you have cut along the ridges (no need to be that precise really...it doesn't take that long), then you cut it like this:

And this:

And voila! You have minced onion!

Tiny bit of snow

2010-01-04T11:19:00.003-06:00

Oxford got the teeniest dusting last night...looks like we brought it down with us...I am ready for spring now!
I am gearing up for teaching this week. I have about half of my students starting this week, and the 2nd half next week. Nice way to ease into it. The reason is, I start my non-OAFA students a week before OAFA starts. I have several new ones that I am very excited about! Yay!
All the church stuff starts back. Choir, kids choirs, praise band, etc. Back to the grind for a while!

By the way, I don't mean to offend anyone who takes NY resolutions seriously and actually does them, I just know so many people who have said things they were going to do (including myself several times) and it hardly ever works out. :)

My New Years Resolutions

2010-01-02T09:27:00.003-06:00

I never make them, therefore never break them! I have always thought New Years Resolutions were a little silly... :) I will just do something if I am determined to do it!

One goal I do have (not a resolution mind you!) is to lose 40 pounds this year. I am making plans to really work hard at this! I just need to get that weight off! I have been carrying it around since my mom died, and it is way past due to get it off...I never struggled with my weight in high school and the first part of freshman year. I thought I was big back then, but now I realize how tiny I was and how I so want to be there again! I got off the trail when Thanksgiving hit. Now I am going to really stick it out until my weight is lost. That may mean I don't get any Easter candy, but I just have to tell myself that it's worth being small.

This January will be crazy. I will be working 50+ hours and will be exhausted. I am picking up a bunch more students. There's light at the end of the tunnel, and I will actually be able to paint, do crafts, have a little time here and there for myself after this month is over! What a wonderful feeling that will be, not to be flying by the seat of my pants constantly. I will have time to cook, meal plan, keep this mess of a house in shape, and still be the breadwinner. :) Right now as it stands, I am very very sick of coming home late, eating bad things, and going straight to bed, only to repeat it again the next morning. I'm just not enjoying life, and the environment I am in currently is toxic. That will be no more after the last of January.

By the way, I am hinting around and being weird on purpose. You can figure it out. Yes, it's safe to strongly hint around like that.

Happy New Year everyone :)

The end

A year in review

2009-12-31T11:06:00.007-06:00

This year has been a full year in so many ways!

We brought 2009 in with my besties from Wheaton!

Our trip to Louisana was not successful when we were slammed into on I55-S! God was good in protecting us from what could have been a very tragic accident. My sweet car that was majorly totaled took a hit for us...BMW's are the best. I miss that thing a lot.

I am a very strong believer in NOT texting or looking at ANYTHING ELSE while you drive! The girl that hit us was not paying attention, and really messed things up badly.

My first Charity Ball experience:

This picture is so funny!

For Madison's spring break, we stopped in Birmingham to see/hear my orchestra from college and see some Wheaton friends on our way to Florida:

We were able to take a relaxing vacation at Madison's grandparents' beach house in Florida:

Nights out with friends on the square

We went to Barristers' Ball and had fun with friends:

I flew to NC to visit Bekah and Matt and attend her benefit recital, benefiting my mom's memorial fund.

Madison rocked his spring semester law school exams...these were notecards for ONE CLASS!

We celebrated our 1-year anniversary
picnic in the grove:

dinner at Waltz:

Kayla & Daniel's wedding!

We moved!

I got my fancy new DSLR camera for my birthday!

Family vacation to Brevard, NC

Then we drove to Michigan to see more family and friends!

One of my besties from High School, Allie, got engaged!

Lauren & I met up in Kalamazoo!

We had many a law wives get together:

We played at farmer's markets

We got Ladybug, our sweet Boston Terrier!

In October, we had a pumpkin carving party!

In November, Kristin got married!

Wayne Irby & the Ensemblers at Taylor Grocery

Bekah visited Madison & I for the weekend before Thanksgiving! We went to the LSU game!

For Thanksgiving, we went to Brookhaven!

We met Connor, the 1st of his generation in the family

Christmas in Brookhaven

our ridiculously good Christmas Eve meal...

I took this photo after a few others took photos with me in it (they do know how to include me) :)

Lady & Eliza in their Christmas snuggies! haha!

Michigan

out the window of my uncle & aunt's house

we are missing 3 girl cousins in this photo, but these are most of my girl cousins (on the Karnes side)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

The 24th

2009-12-24T10:06:00.002-06:00

Today I am celebrating the life of my sweet momma who passed away 4 years ago today from a long, courageous battle with colon cancer. It's hard to believe it was really that long ago. I have decided that she would want me to be happy and celebrate Christmas, not mope around all day, so that is what I do. I don't put a fake mask on, but I do focus on what I did have, instead of what I don't have now. This is a healthy way for me to celebrate Christmas, and still remember and honor my mom.
Today's photo of the day is of my mom and I. Enjoy!

The 23rd

2009-12-23T23:29:00.002-06:00

My in-laws' beautiful home...isn't it gorgeous?

The 22nd

2009-12-22T23:28:00.000-06:00

Lady in front of the Taylors' Christmas tree

The 21st

2009-12-21T14:52:00.003-06:00

Our Christmas Tree!

Photo Project

2009-12-21T08:31:00.002-06:00

I have been really slacking because I can't find my cord anywhere to my camera! As soon as I do, I will catch up! I think it may be at work.

The 20th

2009-12-20T14:46:00.000-06:00

My babies

The 19th

2009-12-19T14:43:00.000-06:00

I may be a little obsessed with blue wrapping paper and gold...just maybe?

The 18th

2009-12-18T14:36:00.001-06:00

Another shot of downtown Oxford

The 17th

2009-12-17T14:25:00.002-06:00

Downtown Oxford

The 16th

2009-12-16T09:14:00.000-06:00

A photo taken from Ole Miss vs. LSU when Bekah was here

The 15th

2009-12-15T09:10:00.000-06:00

A photo of a tree in the grove at Ole Miss

The 14th

2009-12-14T09:00:00.000-06:00

This is one of my many favorite ornaments. I love the antique, shiny, and glittery ones. (imagine that, I like colorful, bright, shiny, glittery things...)

The 13th

2009-12-13T08:47:00.000-06:00

This Nativity scene was one of the many wonderful Christmas items/decorations that my sister gave me. For our wedding present, they did the coolest thing! They bought a bunch of Christmas items and gave them to us - including ornaments, lights, etc. This particular piece is from 10,000 villages, a place where people from impoverished countries make beautiful crafts and then you buy them at a store. They are all about fair trade and all that. It's a cool organization/store.

The 12th

2009-12-12T20:09:00.000-06:00

A great place to find Christmas presents!

Day 11

2009-12-11T09:44:00.001-06:00

Day 10

2009-12-10T09:17:00.000-06:00

Christmas cards

2009-12-09T21:48:00.004-06:00

I will be mailing my Christmas cards soon! I finally got my photos after we wrote a very obnoxious sounding release form from me to me. It was pretty great.

Here's a photo I took late this summer on vacation in Brevard - I just loved this row of mailboxes!

Photo Day 8

2009-12-08T21:32:00.002-06:00

This photo was taken from my Grandma's back yard when we visited Michigan this summer. We will be going back after Christmas and I am so excited! We will be heading up to a hopefully snow-covered Michigan after Christmas in Brookhaven. We are driving, so it will be quite the adventure!

Day 7 of Photo Project

2009-12-07T20:59:00.002-06:00

An option we didn't choose for our Christmas photo - taken by Madison's sister at their house

I got tagged

2009-12-07T10:19:00.003-06:00

I got tagged by Marley for a blog post called

Since I have the day off, other than teaching, for the first time since the Sat. of thanksgiving, I can actually do things like this! haha.

I tag all my blog readers :)

Here are the rules:

Rules for the award:
1. Must thank the person who gave you the award and list their blog and link it.
2. Share "10 Honest things" about yourself.
3. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.
4. Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

So here it goes...

1. I am not sure what I'm doing really, but ok...
I love to cook. It is refreshing, it helps me unwind, and I love to try new things. Unfortunately, lately I have been pulling insane shifts so sadly the cooking at home has more turned into grab something from somewhere cheap. Thankfully, that time has passed and now I can once again go back to doing that! I'm so excited!

2. I have a really hard time when Madison is taking exams. It's so hard to leave him alone and not include him on all the things going on at work and such. There's always a huge amount to tell him after work, and since we usually don't talk from about 8am-6pm, I always want to sit down once we're both at home and chat. This doesn't happen much during exams naturally, so it's really hard to mind my own business and have him in the same house but pretend he's not there. I am so excited for Dec. 16 to come! That's when he's done. We're going to go see the blindside and have a nice dinner somewhere!

3. I love Oxford, it's really great. It has been a nice change of pace and I love love love where we live. It's so quiet and peaceful. It is a huge change from being in basically a Chicago suburb. It's a different pace of life. I love the community, and being able to see someone you know just about anywhere you go. I know some people don't like that, but that's my personality. I love being able to run into people.

4. I am a bottler and have quite the temper. A lot of people would say "what?!?! you?" but if you have seen it, you know. That's all! :) I'm working on it.

5. I stand up for myself. This was NOT me in jr high & high school. I let people be mean and never stood up for myself. I was a doormat and a pushover. Being "too sweet" is damaging once you are around mean, controlling people. That is not me anymore! I don't let people say things to me that I don't like to hear without saying something back to them. That being said, I also hate conflict. I don't like things to stew. I want to resolve things quickly but in the right way. I also am not a naturally confrontational person, which makes this very difficult, but I have learned in the last few months to be very confrontational and bolder.

6. I love music, art, and photography. Secretly I really wish I could just have all day to paint and take photos and play music on my own time. I kind of let out a huge sigh every time I sit in my office at 7:50ish am and think about the day and how I have to teach and work and be working 10ish hours per day, if not more. I am a free spirit, and I don't like being under someones' authority. I don't like being told I have to be somewhere and do something. I know most people don't want to be in an office all day and a job is a job, but for me, it has been a character building experience - a very good one! I am enjoying the job, don't get me wrong, it's just not what I had pictured when I was working for that degree. I have always challenged authority a little, and it has really made me quiet down about it. My job isn't just a job either. The ministry aspect has been a great aspect of my job that I have really not only been able to give to others, but receive as well. I really do love the environment I am in.

7. I am a home body big time. My sister loves going to Europe, and this will be her 3rd summer going there. Me on the other hand, no thanks. I enjoyed my many trips overseas, but I do love to stay home. She didn't mind moving around as much, but I did. We're just different in those ways.

8. I have lived in MI, MA, NC, KY, IL, MS, and NH for 1 month (and helped my parents move back to MI then IL.) We went from MI --> MA --> NC --> MI --> KY --> MI --> then my sister & Matt --> NC, then my parents to NH--> MI & IL, --> IL then me --> MS. Social anxiety, anyone?

9. I love flowers. I love taking pictures of them, staring at them, smelling them, I love them. Sometimes in college I bought myself flowers when I missed home early on Freshman year to brighten my room. Then I met this sweet guy named Madison who started buying them for me! :)

10. I am so thankful Madison knew my mom and my mom knew Madison. Not only did she know Madison, but she knew his family! She knew we were going to end up getting married, and she approved big time. She loved Madison and loved how well we went together. She visited several times during semester 2 of Fresh. year and the beginning of Sophomore year. I specifically recall a few times where she took us to 7 Dwarfs to get shakes, took us out to dinner, etc. She pulled me out of class to take me shopping which was so awesome! Those memories will last a lifetime, and are so precious to me. She was the first one of my family to meet him. I still remember it was in Fischer lobby when she met him, and we sat and talked for quite a while before grabbing some lunch or something.

December 6: Day 6 of the Photo Challenge

2009-12-06T21:16:00.004-06:00

Tonight was our concert. It was standing room only, with folding chairs going down the aisles. We had almost 200 musicians involved, and the program had 9 pieces the first half, and a cantata the second half. I was in charge of communicating with the musicians, making sure all the logistics happened, ushers, having enough programs, all of the music (over 2,000 pages), etc. I am so exhausted and so happy it's done! It was a huge success, and I am very happy about how it went.

I leave you with a photo Madison took.

Photo Project Day 5

2009-12-05T18:59:00.002-06:00

My Aunt Andie knitted these stockings for our wedding present. These stockings, in red or green (I chose the green) have been in my family for a long time. The pattern, at least. I have it and plan to keep the tradition by knitting stockings for my kids and whoever else.

Photo Project Day 4

2009-12-04T22:20:00.002-06:00

Our power went out...3 times...the first time was for quite a long time! Madison had to study by candlelight...it smelled crazy with all the different scents, but it worked well enough until the lights came on as he was finishing up!!!

How to make your own ornament tree!

2009-12-03T22:12:00.003-06:00

I randomly thought of this in Wal Mart and just made it up as I went. I am fairly happy with how it turned out!

What you need:

1. Cone-shaped (?) foam...yes, I realize this is flower foam, but being in a small town and unfortunately limited to wal mart for my craft needs (ugh) this is what I got.

2. Small, round ornaments

3. Something to cover the cone (I chose to use some of the 100 feet of pretty silver ribbon my sister gave me)

4. A glue gun

5. An ounce of patience

What I did was cover the cone first with the ribbon, and glue here & there to keep it in place (I may or may not have burnt my finger a few times, since hot glue does go through the ribbon and hurt a lot if you touch it...good work Liz...)

Next, I glued a ring around the bottom (make sure to set it down and glue it so it isn't crooked - I had to fix a few!

Keep on gluing until you get to the top! Then glue one upside-down on the top, or do what I did: glue a round ornament, then a star on top of it!

Christmas Photo Project Day 3

2009-12-03T21:21:00.003-06:00

This is what I made today! :-)

December Photo Project Day 2

2009-12-02T23:51:00.005-06:00

I came in under the wire tonight! Here's me in a reflection of an ornament - one from our recently put-up Christmas tree! We still have to buy a topper for it! Last year I made a paper Moravian star, but it didn't survive our move!

December Photo Project Day 1 - My musical husband

2009-12-01T21:35:00.007-06:00

M & I have so much fun together jamming quite often, especially after exams are over around the holidays! I love sitting around and making stuff up and thinking of different stuff to play. He was a suzuki violin kid too for a while, and can still play a lot of his pieces. Not only that, but he improvised this evening for just a few minutes as I finished making dinner and I was amazed at his capability to play things on violin that he had never played without mistakes! I really want to work with him a little bit with tone and a few other techniques, and in no time, he will be the one fiddling around town!

Photo Challenge

2009-12-01T12:46:00.002-06:00

My friend Kelly posted this on her blog, and I thought it looked fun! So I'm going to post a picture a day to celebrate the already exciting days of Christmas.

Time to re-import Christmas music into i-tunes!

2009-11-29T14:17:00.002-06:00

This morning was the first Sunday of advent. We did Hanging of the Greens, which I directed 6 families in each service to walk down and decorate the church, so to speak. One family had the advent wreath, one lit the candle, one had greens, one had the Christmas ornament, one with the Christmas star, and one with the Christmas bells (an 5-note e flat triad of bells to be exact - thank goodness I found the right notes when I looked last night for them!)

It was a little like being a wedding coordinator, with me in the back giving directions on how to do their roles, and then telling them when to go. I will say, I am very happy I'm not a wedding coordinator. It all went off without a hitch, but it sure was stressful!

We sang Christmas songs and it really put me in the right place to finally be okay with it being Christmas season. I was not ready to listen to Christmas music a few days ago! I am very picky about Christmas music and when I'm ready to listen to it. I have been working with Christmas music since late September too, so I have really had to tune it out haha.

We are excited to decorate for Christmas! I will be doing the majority since Madison is in full on study mode now, but he will help me with the stuff I can't reach and such.

This Sunday night is the big Christmas concert, so I will be completely consumed with that this week.

Happy advent week 1!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2009-11-26T17:43:00.002-06:00

It has been a great year. I am thankful for so many things!

Madison, Family, Friends, our quiet house, our puppy, my job that provides necessities, and good health.

Here's to another good year! For the first time in 24 years, my sister and I spent the first thanksgiving apart! This year, we are at the Taylors for Thanksgiving and with my family for Christmas. This thanksgiving was great, as every other one has been. I'm just sitting upstairs stuffed out of my mind with wonderful, home-cooked food cooked by my mother-in-law.

We will be here until Saturday, then going back to Oxford to work on Sunday. Madison is gearing up for exams, and I'm gearing up for our big concert on December 6. It keeps us both very busy!

I am really looking forward to actually being able to do something other than work and attempt at keeping up the house! I am so looking forward to doing crafts and other projects that I have been wanting to do but too busy to do! I am thankful for a little lull after December 6 is over!!! I have been at work more than home most of the time! I am looking forward to Christmastime. We will be going up to Grand Rapids the day after Christmas to spend time with family!!!

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for all you guys!

2009-11-18T20:13:00.002-06:00

My sister is coming to visit and Thanksgiving in Brookhaven is just 1 week away! I have so many exciting things to look forward to.
Life has been filled with drama here lately, but I'm pulling through and keeping my chin high. Sometimes you just have to learn the hard way and not listen to the negativity & criticism thrown at you. This is not coming from home at all. Home life is wonderful.
Madison is starting to get very busy with school. He will be done with his 3rd semester of school soon! Then just 3 after that! That's hard to believe.
Well, time to go clean. My days have been so long here lately.

Time for bed

2009-10-30T23:53:00.003-05:00

But real quick update...

1. Work is crazy crazy right now. Just when I thought it was busy, it started getting exponentially busier...now I know what busy means...and in a few weeks, I will say the same thing about now being easy.

2. Lady is so awesome. She adds such entertainment to our already stressful enough crazy lives. She's so fun to come home to! Right now she's running around our living room like she has lost her mind. Most of the time, she's sweet and snuggly. She has now learned how to sit, lay, and shake! She's such a good girl. She is settling down a little more every day.

3. I am going to be so busy until Dec. 6 when our Christmas concert is! Tomorrow is our "bonus rehearsal #2" from 8-11 (but I have to get there EARLY to make enough coffee for our entire choir). I have already made up my mom's breakfast casserole that I will stick in the oven in the morning before my shower. I am also picking up 35 chik-fil-a chicken biscuits per request of my boss...I have to say, they sound disgusting but they are GOOD. Oh dear. What's happening to me? I used to be repulsed by anything fried. If you had told me a few years ago...oh, never mind...;-) Also, too bad I'm on a diet...but it is paying off!

4. I am going to be working extra hard to get everything done by Wednesday, then Thursday bright and early (6am to be exact) my plane takes off for Norfolk, VA where I get to see my best friends from college!!! I am SO excited. This is the first time we'll all be together since our wedding day! I am so incredibly pumped for that weekend. I am definitely ready to have a weekend full of memories with my girls. We live so far away from each other - 3 in Wheaton, IL, 1 in VA, and me here. Kristin's wedding is going to be so beautiful and I am excited. I'm playing my violin.

Well, I have to get up in a little bit so goodnight! We had a fun dinner with some great friends here. Life has its ups and downs for sure, but I am just focusing on the fact that I feel surrounded by wonderful family and friends.

4.

4.

Dieting, Puppy, and Work

2009-10-18T21:46:00.003-05:00

You know when you diet but don't tell anyone in case it fails? Well, I have been doing that for years...so here it is.
I am dieting. I will be in a noticeably smaller size in result of this.

There. Now you can all point and laugh at me if it flops. This extra pressure is going to help. We decided that we were going to do the South Beach diet and follow it precisely. We are on day 2 of phase 1. I am having sugar withdrawal and anything carb related, but overall, I am feeling good. I have a low-carb cookbook and found a few blogs with south beach phase 1 recipes, so be checking my blog soon for lots of low carb but tasty recipes to try. I feel disgusting. When I came to Wheaton as a freshman, I weighed more than 40 pounds less than I do now. 40. That's a lot. I know I probably sound like a broken record, but this time I mean it. I am in for the long hall, and it's going to be a lifestyle change. No, I'm not going to stay away from carbs my whole life (gosh I like pizza and pasta waaay to much for that). But I realized how many carbs I have been eating every day...it's all about balancing. If you have eggs and toast for breakfast, have a half of a sandwich (1 piece of bread) and grilled chicken or something non carby for dinner. Not cereal, toast, a sandwich, cookie, and lasagna for dinner...those have been more along the lines of the things we have been eating.

The point that hit me the most was when I was shopping with my sweet friend in Oxford and went to about every boutique. I sort-of fit into one shirt and that was it...only because of its billowy nature. I tried on lots and lots of clothes. I also have realized I hate every recent photo of myself. That's no way to live life! So this diet is for real. Our grocery bill was painful, but it will prevent our random "I don't have time to cook" Wendy's dollar menu runs that were so healthy...ha.

I have also learned through Steph's 365 Crockpot blog that you can cook just about anything in a crock pot. I found lots of crockpot low-carb recipes! When you are a working woman working 40-50 hr weeks and a busy law student, there's no time for time-consuming meals. Most of the time I am pretty hungry once I arrive home. Mondays I get home early, at 4:45ish, Tuesdays at 5:30, Wednesdays at 9pm, Thursdays at 6:30, and Fridays I'm home, so I don't have a whole lot of time to cook before we're hungry and tired. We can't afford the eating out thing very often, and our bodies can't either, since there are limited low-carb places around.

To save money, I have meal planned for the week. Excuse the page numbers, those are for me for my cookbook.

SATURDAY:
Lunch: Low-carb chili
Dinner:
Caprese Salad and
Chicken Breast with Orange Basil Pesto (110) (this was VERY good!)

SUNDAY:
Lunch meat & cheese spinach salad with light Italian dressing
Steaks and sweet potatoes

MONDAY:
Lunch: Salad or lettuce wrap
Dinner: Dill & Spinach Salmon (365 blog)

TUESDAY:
Lunch: Thai Grilled Chicken (p. 146) (grilled on Mon. by Madison)
Roast Chicken w/ Spinach-Blue Cheese Stuffing (page 124)

WEDNESDAY:
Lunch: Salad with lunch meat and cheese and veggies
Dinner: Church dinner (which happens to be grilled chicken! Yay!)

THURSDAY:
Lunch: Lettuce Wraps
Barbecued shrimp (Slow Cooked) (365 blog)

FRIDAY
Chicken & veggie no-rice "stir fry"
Grilled Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Sweet Potatoes (page 204)

SATURDAY:
Dinner: Peanut Chicken (south beach country club blog)

I really need to get in to blogging so my blog posts aren't so long! Props to anyone who made it this far...

And I leave you with some recent photos of our baby:

Lots of energy:

Happy Birthday, Madison!

2009-09-27T13:42:00.002-05:00

Madison is 24 today! We have had the best, restful, weekend! I have the best husband in the world :-)
Happy Birthday, sweetie!

Rain, Rain, go away!

2009-09-21T09:01:00.003-05:00

It has been raining for a LONG time now! It reminds me of home in Michigan. I can't believe I'm actually growing a little sick of the rain! I used to love storms and rain, no matter how much we got. I see lots of rainboots around town! It was really funny to see the Ole Miss girls in their dresses for the football game (yes, they wear dresses...) with rainboots when I picked Madison & Nate up.

Today I am working, we have a staff meeting in an hour, then I will know what I have to do this week. But for now, I don't know what the order of service is yet, and my boss usually arrives about 10, so I am able to breathe and take it easy this morning with my large Chai from Uptown. I already cleaned up from Sunday and such this morning. I haven't bought coffee (or chai) from a coffee shop in ages, but this morning was a large chai morning. I went to Bottletree Bakery, but forgot they were closed on Mondays! So I traveled down the street to uptown. Good choice...this chai is good. I think I'm getting sick, but I am ignoring that fact. I woke up like 10x last night...2 because our dog threw up 2x. Gross. I don't really sleep like a normal person. I wake up a lot for no good reason at all...especially when I need the sleep the most it seems! I went to bed early at 10:30 too!

Law school is going well for Madison. It definitely keeps him extremely busy! It's difficult to be married to a law student, but it's so worth it! I love having the support group of other girls married to law students to hang out with and commiserate once a month at our get-togethers. :) I am so happy Madison found his niche, something that he enjoys and is good at. That is enough to get me through being alone and having to hold back from speaking a lot while he's studying at night after I come home from work.

I'm finally getting used to living in a small town. Finally. It took long enough. Being without a mall and Target 5 minutes from home is SO weird! You have to drive 45 mins to go to a decent mall, and 50 minutes to a Target...Oxford should really get a Target. I hate Wal Mart. But...with that said, I have gotten used to having to plan on a future event to shop instead of sporadically shop. It does save me money I guess! Speaking of shopping, I am SO READY for it to get cold enough to wear my fall clothes! Being from the north, I have a very small amount of warm weather clothes still. I wish clothes weren't as expensive as they are...it's just too expensive to get what I need right now! I feel like I wear the same shirts every week, but I'm trying to learn that it's okay to do that. That is hard for me to do sometimes! I just need to learn how to be laid back and not selfish about it. Plus, I do have a very sweet mother-in-law that takes me shopping, so it's not like I have all cheap clothes either!

My mom used to take me shopping to a lot of nice places. I remember when she was sick, she was in Naperville, and shouldn't have been out and about. She came to school to take me to lunch and had bags of sweaters, pants, etc. from the outlet mall and from the Danada Square mall just because. It was no particular day, but she would take me shopping and get me more than I needed. I am so thankful that the stuff has lasted this long. It's starting to make me sad that the stuff that I have cared for for this long is starting to pill up and get worn. It's just a hard realization knowing that that last stuff she bought me is now old. I miss her so much! (obviously not just because she took me shopping!!!) :-) She was my very best friend and we had such a good time together.

I am determined that this is going to be a good week. I am sick of whining about the hours I am working, and sick of my house being a wreck. I am going to shape up and do what I need to do to have a pleasant environment to come home to. This IS going to be a good week, I am going to make it one!

18 days

2009-09-19T21:31:00.002-05:00

I will work 18 days before a single day off by next Friday. Next Friday couldn't come soon enough. I am so pumped. It's Madison's birthday weekend, and we're going to the Taylors. I even get Sunday off! WOOHOO! That's a very rare instance. I am on the verge of tears at any given moment due to being overworked here lately. I am so run down and I just feel weak. I sit down at my desk at work and just want to burst into tears! It's really difficult not having a single day off for that long!!! I feel less patience inside for my students also. I try to still act patient, but it's hard juggling this much stuff right now. I will pull through and be fine, and at least I am making more money, but I am very tired. And again, our house suffers. Madison is in the throws of Moot Court stuff, and I get home between 4:30 & 9 depending on the night, so it has been interesting in the Taylor household here lately. We miss each other a lot but are getting along great still, even with the lack of seeing each other except just a few hours a day! He's home more during the day and then I am more available at night. He's able to let Lady out in the afternoons which is a huge help. Usually I can't leave work unless it's an errand for the boss. And the fact that we share a car doesn't allow me to go places much since Madison is the one with the non dayshift schedule.
Yesterday I ended up having to be at work on my day off (partially due to a broken organ), and then later I had to teach. Today I had to let a piano technician in at 8:30 in the morning and I set the church alarm off...then couldn't remember the code. Thank goodness I did and it turned out that the main alarm I was hearing was a false fire alarm coming from one of the daycare rooms! I did a little bit more work (finished prepping and marking Tom's big Sunday folder of music he uses with all the cues and such). I locked up and went home. Then I organized the music, ate a sandwich that Madison made me (it was VERY good!) and then had the trio over at 1 to rehearse for a bit. We left for Corinth around 3, got there 25 mins early (it was raining HARD so it took a long time!) then it was a short wedding, we drove through Arby's for dinner, then got here about 9.
Tomorrow I have to be at church at 7 to turn everything on and such. I am there about 8 hours on Sundays!

Lady is so sweet, we love her! She is so good. She has her normal puppy things like chewing socks and napkins, but other than that, she is housetrained, snuggly, jumps and whines at the door when she needs out, and her newest trick is she brings us her leash in her mouth when she wants to go for a walk! It's so cute! She taught herself! She is so smart! I'm amazed at what she has learned and such. She is going to be a blast to have around.

Well, I better get lady in the car! We are going to pick Madison up from the Ole Miss game!

Bad, bad blogger...

2009-09-15T22:57:00.004-05:00

I am terrible at this! I am going to try to do better! I want to have a daily short post instead of these crazy, long ones that no sane person would get all the way through. ha. Life is crazy, as usual. I am really looking forward to Sept. 26, when my last gig until Christmas happens!!! It does mean less money, but now that I have my new job, my weekends are treasured and important to keep as free of a schedule as possible. I have now been working for 11 days straight without a day off. We had our retreat last weekend, so I had to work all day Friday until 9pm, then Saturday 6:45am-3:00pm. Then of course, my Sundays start at 7:00am at the church (which means 6ish here at home waking up and feeling like smashing my alarm clock).

I finally got my work computer, which feels awesome. I now can sit at my desk and not run to whoever wasn't at their computer at the moment. I definitely won't miss running up to my most frequently used computer on the humid, musty 3rd floor and sending stuff downstairs to the printer; running down the stairs, then often up and down 10 more times before the end of the day. I'm getting faster at my job. I'm still working more than I would like to, but it's getting better, slowly.

My work computer is a PC, but I'll live ;-) My mac is on its last leg and I fear for its life every time I use it. :( (and yes, I'm an OCD backer upper, so no fear there). It's not like we can just go buy a computer, so if it dies, that's it for now. Yikes! Poor MacBook.

Can I just say that my work, although incredibly stressful at times, is the best work environment right now for me? I have 3 motherly, sweet secretaries making sure I'm ok, 5 very nice pastors, and two very funny janitors. (we became friends quickly). I definitely feel like screaming half of each day with frustration, but I really am starting to get the hang of it. I am not incredibly type A, and only OCD about a few things, which makes my job difficult for me. My boss thinks like a type A person, and I act it out...which is a little difficult for a layed back, forgetful person like me! I try my best. Organization is not my strength...which is interesting when in charge of thousands of pieces of music...not to mention my list of 1,999,222,333 other things I have to do every week...mm hmm!

Let's see...this week, we (the law wives of "law spouses") are selling t-shirts. I am the president, so I have been busy organizing that. Tomorrow (at church) is crazy Wednesday to put it politely. Every Wednesday I feel like I won't make it through the end of the day. It's a lot to get done, and sometimes I cut it incredibly close. I'm getting faster though, as well as gaining a few volunteers to fill the choir folders. I am trying to force myself to take a break in the afternoon, but I don't know if that will happen. It hasn't been lately! I work straight from 8:30am-9pm with about a 10 minute lunch break and 20ish minute dinner at church.
Saturday my trio has a wedding in Corinth, so that will eat up my day...but it's ok...after the weekend after next when I have a sorority gig, I won't have any more tied up Saturdays until December! I will have most of Friday off at least. Sundays I am at the church for 8 hours!

I look forward to Fridays a lot...I teach for 2 hours and that's all. Fridays are my Saturdays. Teaching thrown into the mix makes for a lot of work, but I would never quit teaching my kids over this job and it also helps pay the bills which is obviously a plus!

I want to be able to have time to do fun things, like sew, watch tv, scrapbook, things I haven't been able to do once since my job, and especially since we moved and I haven't had time to unpack everything, especially non-essentials. I can't remember the last time I saw a movie or did anything for fun except very small things like cooking! I am going to try to make time for these things. I'm bound and determined to!

I want to try to make my life as pleasant as possible...this means I will have to work really hard while home on the front end and get this place squared away. I'm so worn out when I get home that I feel like collapsing instead of working on the stuff I need to work on at home, but I will get there. It's just a steep slope I am determined to conquer. It all takes time and I'm learning.

it's really only Monday?

2009-08-31T21:47:00.002-05:00

I feel like I have been going constantly for ages...unable to sleep in, etc. I am getting run down for sure. I really need a day off...I am REALLY looking forward to labor day...it couldn't come soon enough. That and Friday when I get to sleep in!
I don't want to be down, I want to be happy and peppy but this schedule is really tiring and wears on me! Saturday, I was doing music - related stuff (recording for an album for someone, then going to an extra rehearsal at church that I ended up having to stay for) from 9am-8:30pm with one 30 minute time slot that I was home. I had to be at church at 7am the next morning until the 11:00 service was over (I did the slides for the 11:00), then had to be back at 5:15 for the kids choirs. I had Friday morning off except for teaching 2:45-4:30, but that's only one day!

I love my job, and I love what I do...mixed with teaching and gigs and all the other things I committed to prior to accepting this position, it's really putting a damper on any fun I may have time for..let alone our house...our house is so messy...it's so so bad!!! I do what I can, but I am so exhausted when I come home from work, and Mondays are the only days I get to come home at 4:45! I wish that I could close my eyes and everything would just magically be in place and clean just this once! Then maybe it would be easier to keep up. It's a daunting task when it piles up...I have no idea how I am ever going to get it looking how it's supposed to! What a mess...

I'm finally learning the ropes and really feeling a lot more comfortable with what I do at work. People are so encouraging, and there are a bunch of incredible people who go there. I'm impressed with the quality of the choir, and it has been a blast to sing again. There are 50 some regulars in choir! It has been too long since I've sang in choir. I thought I had lost my voice forever (I kind of damaged it being a 1st soprano in 2 choirs for 4 years in HS, hitting lots of ridiculous high notes without much training, and yelling way too much while cheerleading, etc.) but it's coming back...sort of! Tom does a lot of technique work in choir (he went to Julliard for opera!), which gives me a chance to relearn how to sing properly.

I love working in ministry. It's hard work, but it's worth it. It is so rewarding. The environment I work with is great, and I really like every one of the staff members. They are all so friendly and helpful. I definitely have to ask lots of questions a lot. Slowly, those questions are getting less frequent. My office is pretty much amazing and huge, and has large windows all along the side (which look down on the street and the playground full of daycare children playing). I definitely don't feel trapped in that office.

I guess my current state would be incredibly overwhelmed and frustrated at the lack of hours in each day. That pretty much sums it up to be completely honest. It will pass...I need to stop feeling like this, but it's difficult to make it go away! I also need to come up with lots of healthy slow cooker recipes...because there is only 1 night a week that I come home in time to make a good dinner, and a lot of times Madison is so busy with law school that he can only do a limited amount of grilling. Any ideas? (we ate sandwiches tonight for dinner...)

2009-08-28T14:21:00.002-05:00

Getting used to this schedule is exhausting and leaves very little room for energy for the weekend...I am looking forward to the day my body catches up and gets used to this schedule.
Sunday, I'm at church at 7am-11:20am, and 5:30-7:15.
Monday, I'm at church from 8:30-4:30
Tuesday, I'm at church from 8:30-4, then I zoom over to a music store and teach from 4:30-5:30.
Wednesday, I'm at church from 8:30-8:30, if it is a good rehearsal. Sometimes later if not.
Thursday, I'm at church from 9:30-6:30
Friday I'm off of work for the church job and teach 3-4.

The first time in literally months I was able to sleep in was in Brookhaven a few weeks ago, and that was "only" until 9am because the dog needed to go out at that point. I have had something going on Saturday morning or early afternoons for a very long time! I am hoping that I can start sleeping in a little more on Fridays. Madison doesn't have class til 9:30 which is nice.

I am constantly exhausted and getting more addicted to caffeine...we have diet coke and coffee in the break room, and I definitely put it to good use. I haven't been sleeping very good lately either...2 days ago I went to bed at 11:30, woke up at 4am and didn't go back to sleep until 30 mins before my alarm went off! It's weird...drastic new schedules will mess with ya I guess.

The puppy is so sweet...I love her! She's sitting by me chewing on her duck right now. She's incredibly snuggly and sleeps all night. She sleeps with me and loves to get under the covers. I have always wanted a snuggly dog and she is definitely snuggly. She has to be touching one of us at all times when she's laying down or sitting. We take her on one long walk and a few short ones a day, which is good for us and her. That's enough to put her to sleep when we want her to go to bed.

One thing about switching to working 45ish hours a week from working 8 hours max, I wasted a lot of precious time...I don't have time to do things I enjoy anymore, because the weekends and Fridays are taken up by a very much needed nap and housework. I really covet those hours back that I had time to watch TV, sew, do things I enjoy. Such is life, and as I get used to everything, I will become more efficient at everything and be able to do things I enjoy in small doses, but for now, it's slightly depressing coming home, eating, and feeling so tired and ready for bed.

God is providing for us through this job, and I know it's in His plan and I will get adjusted. Ministry is where I fit in, and I really feel like it fits me well too. This job requires a lot of energy, and somehow I am able to do it all so far and will get better at it. My house is so disgusting right now, and I am quite overwhelmed in that area. I know Madison and I will be working hard at the house tonight and tomorrow when I'm not playing a gig and going to a band rehearsal at the church.

People have it worse than me. This is a sweet job in a sweet office. Doesn't pay extravagantly, but it's enough to pay the bills and I am able to use my gifts which is what I really want also. It's just a matter of getting used to an entirely different lifestyle. I can't believe how spoiled I was, getting to spend so much time at home last year! Now I know what it's really like to have a "real job". I feel all the rest of your "pain" now :)

It has been forever...

2009-08-22T20:18:00.002-05:00

I'm a bad blogger. Here are some updates:

us: Madison & I are doing well. We are getting used to a different lifestyle with me working 40-50 hrs a week and him going back to school starting Monday and working. Sharing a car can be frustrating at times, but it is still going to work at least until he may have to leave for the summer for an internship or job. We are enjoying having time to hang out most evenings. He's singing in the choir which makes my Wednesdays a lot happier.

job: I love my job. It's tough and long and tiring, but rewarding. My boss has been very nice about giving me lots of grace while I learn a lot from my many mistakes. I am finally feeling like I am getting the hang of it! It is a wonderful environment with wonderful people. Teaching starts full force this week, so I am going to be incredibly busy. I definitely get tired on weekends like this where I have to work every day on the weekend, but I won't have weddings for 2 or 3 weeks now, which is great. A lot of people ask me what I do as Music Assistant. I attend staff meetings, I get the order of service nailed down, I proofread the bulletin, I schedule musicians and rehearsals, I get arrangements to every hymn and often transpose them in Finale for organ, piano, bass, drums, percussion, synth, guitar, Tom's lead sheet, and the choir. Then, almost every week, we have guest musicians (brass quintet, string quartet, sax, vocalists, etc.) I spend the bulk of my time getting music ready in finale and assembling peoples' folders. I order music and maintain our music library, take calls for my boss, attend and prepare for all rehearsals, etc., etc., etc. That's not all, but that gives you an idea.

We got a puppy! After we got back from NC & MI which was extremely fun by the way; we got a puppy from a place in Pontotoc! Her name is Lady, and she is a 3 month old Boston Terrier. She's so sweet and easy! She has lots of energy, and keeps us very entertained. She also sleeps a lot though which is great. She sleeps through the night and doesn't cry or anything. I am always sad to leave her for work in the morning. Right now, she's about 7 lb. She will get to about 18 lb.

That's about it. We're in full swing starting Monday with Madison in school. Fun fun! I will try to be better about blogging.

My new job!

2009-07-20T22:01:00.003-05:00

I am really tired, it was a 10 hour day today, but I thought I was overdue for a blog post.
I got a job! I am very excited about it. I'm the music assistant at a big church, and I get to keep all students, etc.! I am learning two new programs; MediaShout and Planning Center Online. They are both complex, especially MediaShout. Thankfully, I already know how to use Finale like the back of my hand. I learned all sorts of things today. Where office supplies are located, how to get into my computer, how many documents you have to sign for a "real job", where to find the free coffee and the 35 cent pop, how to use the copier, fax machine, phone, how to do my job, and basics on all the programs I will be using. Then it was the church wide dinner at 5, and Monday night series at 6 which I ran the projector for up in the loft - something I won't be doing on Sunday mornings usually.
I get to keep all my students also! I have a huge office lined with windows, a great workspace to be in. I can teach my students there. I really like the people I work with - they were all very nice. I had my first staff meeting of my life other than our 4 person music tech lab meetings in college, and my first "break room lunch". Haha it's kind of fun! I like everyone a lot. They're fun.
Well, I am tired and becoming an old person with my bedtime...Oh well.

New Camera!

2009-06-30T23:00:00.003-05:00

I got a new camera for my birthday! I am so pumped! I have had a huge love for photography for a very long time. I always am looking for a new photography blog. I have wanted a digital SLR camera for a very long time. I found a refurbished body with a new lens, and I am loving my Canon Rebel. I made the template of my blog simple, since it will probably load a little slower with the photos I post on it. I hope to blog more now that I have that to blog about. We haven't really been cooking much interesting food lately...we have been grilling, and making stuff already on my blog. Hopefully I will have the energy to blog some soon, I do have a few recipes/photos that I need to blog about. The weather has been exhausting! It has been really hot. Unpacking is SO slow, we haven't had a solid weekend to unpack yet...2 weekends ago I played in my friend Kayla's wedding (so fun) in Brookhaven, and this past weekend was my birthday, then the next day I had the HOTTEST gig of my life in a very random small town south of Batesville. It was 96, and my bridge flew off my violin and almost went into the cracks of the porch! :-O Thankfully that was before the wedding started...crazy bride...I couldn't believe she had an outdoor wedding in that weather...the poor groomsmen were sweating so badly in their tuxes! It was in the sun too! (I was on the covered porch with a fan and I was dying of heat so I can only imagine how awful it was for the guests and the wedding party...
I have another wedding on the 4th, and yet another wedding on the 11th. Cha-ching!$ :-) It somewhat makes up for the lack of lessons I have in the summer. :) Summers are a little tough, but thanks to Madison's beetle pinning job (no, I'm serious...) it has been helpful to have more income.

Here's a few pictures I have taken:
Beautiful wreaths on the doors of the church from Kayla's wedding:

So I'm slightly obsessed with taking ring pictures at the moment haha:

She had my FAVORITE flowers at her wedding - Gerbera Daisies :-)

And here's a [weird] but fun photo I took of my rings on a peach...I was playing with the aperture and such.

the cool bout's (taken on Madison)

anyone know what kind of flower this is? I found it on campus and thought it was really interesting and pretty!

Ventress Hall on Campus

The Lyceum (on campus)

'

A tree in the grove

Believe it or not, the photo below is unedited...the flower was that bright! :)

My adorable cake with too many candles on it!!!

24

2009-06-26T23:39:00.007-05:00

I was born 24 years ago today! As Madison put the candles on the cake, we realized...this is the last year to use one box of candles! haha.
Although my mom would possibly strike me with a lightening bolt for this photo, I think it's sweet. Me on my very first birthday with my older sister and momma:

Birthdays have been really difficult ever since my mom passed. (my dad is spacey - I didn't get anything from him except a phone call because he mailed my stuff yesterday - that's just him, it happens every time, but it is SO hard to have that instead of being spoiled rotten by my sweet momma).

Food Blog Updated

2009-06-08T10:35:00.000-05:00

Click on the blue box on the right (Liz's Cooking Blog) to see my new recipes!

Farmer's Market gig

2009-06-07T18:19:00.003-05:00

We had a blast at the Mid-Town farmer's market! To make a long story short, I got an email from my friend Marco telling me about an opportunity to play at the Farmer's Market for tips and produce. I emailed the lady, and I got us all set to play. A few days after I got her response, a lady came up to me in church and introduced herself to me, it was the same lady! I just started playing in church a month ago, so she made the connection.

Anyways, from 8-11, Madison and I entertained the farmers and customers. It was SO fun! Some of my students came out, and we made $65.00 in tips and got a ton of produce and some pretty sunflowers, as seen above! We were shocked!!! We had an amazing time chatting with people and playing Celtic fiddle, kids' music (it was kids' day), folk, etc. We'll be back in August and September to do it again! :-)

1 year

2009-05-31T14:25:00.004-05:00

1 year ago from right now, I was finishing getting ready, Madison & I were getting photos taken and getting ready to get married! This year has been filled with very good times and some difficult times, and I am so thankful for such a great husband to spend the rest of my life with! I couldn't ask for a better husband. Happy 1st year anniversary, sweetie!
Here's some of my favorite pics from May 31, 2008:

a wonderful day

2009-05-24T22:36:00.002-05:00

Today was wonderful. I feel so blessed. I woke up and went to practice with the worship team, then played in church. I met a lady who is in charge of the Farmer's Market that Madison and I will be playing at, and many others came up to introduce themselves. It's funny how you sit back for a while before feeling ready to dive in. I have never embraced moving, and can be quite hesitant to get involved. I have moved around so much, my natural instinct is to close up and not like anything, so that when we move, I don't have to hurt so bad. This obviously was something I tried very hard at not doing this move, and one of the last things I have recently opened up to is getting more involved in church. We're going to join it this fall. Our church is full of young people - it's thriving, and we really love it. The pastor has wonderful things to say, and it's a great place for us to be. It meets in an old skating rank. How cool is that! haha. Not somewhere I would want to settle for the rest of my life probably, but it's a great church for now while we're young and wanting to connect with our age group. We have some great law school friends that go there, and we also have been trying to branch out and have some acquaintances we hope to get to know better.
Back to the music: So I played with the guitarist and pianist this morning. We play hymns and RUF music. There was an unusually large crowd for a holiday weekend. I really enjoyed the people I played with, and I'm officially part of the worship team now - so that's fun.

I got home, and got an email from someone whose teacher recently moved away (the teacher was an aquaintance of mine - she was a MM student at Ole Miss and is now going for her PhD in Alabama). The student is an hour-long student which is AWESOME (double the $$ of most of my students). I got a second email only an hour later from a friend of the student who had just emailed me. That student told the other one about me, so she emailed me too! I have since emailed them back and they both emailed me again, confirming times to start this week! This is such a boost to my spirits...I feel like I have been working so hard for so little result lately. Yay!

Like I said in a previous post, next weekend is our 1st anniversary. I can't believe it has been almost a year! It has definitely flown by in a lot of ways. A year ago right now, I was pretty much freaking out with all the loose ends I had to tie up. There were lots of interesting twists...like finding a big lipstick stain on the back of my wedding dress from the alterations lady...!!! Thanks to my sister & brother-in-law, they took it to the lady and she got the stain out! I am still so pleased with how every detail fell into place. The ONLY thing wrong was my dress was still bustled from my final fitting in one little part of the corner of the dress for the ceremony and pictures, and that is such a small detail. You can't tell in most pictures even. That's about the only thing that happened...which is SO small compared to some weddings I have witnessed! Enough about the wedding though, I am so thankful we have each other. We have so much fun hanging out and living here together. It's so much fun to share this place and go on little trips and explore around Oxford together. We get along so well, and he is absolutely perfect for me :-) He is such a good husband! This is our fourth year being together, so we have had a lot of fun from ages 19 to almost 24. :)

Speaking of almost 24, poor Madison has our anniversary on May 31, (which for this year, we decided having each other was enough, so we're not going to do anything except dinner due to tight $$) - and then he has my birthday on June 26...haha. So fun times for him gift wise huh!? Oh well, I'm not too demanding. :-) Right, sweetie?

Well, tomorrow we both have the day off and I cannot believe it! We are so excited - we think we're going to Sardis Lake if the weather is nice. We have never been there, and it's free (or very cheap at least).

Tuesday Madison starts summer school...fun times for everyone...:-/ I'm just focusing on the weekend....and the fact that I have him around, unlike most of the girls in the law wives club who have to part ways for the summer with their husbands!

Ahh, the joys of summer...

2009-05-19T10:10:00.002-05:00

Madison and I have really enjoyed being a couple again after law school exams were over! We have really enjoyed hanging out again and had a lot to catch up on. I could hardly talk to him those weeks he was studying, so now it's nice to not have restrictions on when/how much we can talk and spend time together.
Our summer plans are finally coming together. Things are tight money-wise, seeing students go out of town for the summer, etc. I started a new 6 yr old student last week so that's good. I still have some people who are taking every week, and one that won't return my emails/phone calls. Summer is a hard time for a private teacher. Madison will be attending summer school, and thankfully we got some loans granted for that...he is still hoping for a summer job, so we will see. That would be very nice. :-) We are not going out to eat or going to movies, renting movies, or anything beyond very simple grocery shopping, except for special occasions, so we should be fine. We're being creative with what we have, and we have been playing our wii and playing board games together. I'm gone a majority of the time with work, especially on Mon. & Thurs. when I babysit Monday from 7-5:30 and Thurs. from 7:30-5:30. Madison starts summer school on Tuesday. This weekend, we are going to start getting our house somewhat ready for our move, so it's not so much to do the end of next month. We will be celebrating our 1st year anniversary next weekend! It has been a great year. We'll probably just stay here due to no money. We'll probably save up and go out to dinner though! That will be nice to dress up and go out at least.
Well, better go! More updates to follow.

Optical Illusion

2009-05-14T21:03:00.002-05:00

1. Stare at the black dot without moving your eyes until it says "Ta Da!"
2. Move your eyes - you saw in color, but it's b&w!

Blog Neglect...shame on me!

2009-05-06T21:05:00.002-05:00

There has been a whole heck of a lot going on lately, sorry I have been neglecting this blog...I have been neglecting a lot of things lately, unfortunately! Last weekend, I helped throw a bachelorette party for a friend after working a 10 hour babysitting shift, then the next day I got up to drive to Starkville, MS to play in a wedding, I came home and thank goodness Madison's mom pulled in about the same time to help with the recital. I wouldn't have been able to pull it off without her. She was a huge help! Madison had a 49 page exam on Monday, so obviously he had to study a lot...needless to say, I woke up and it was recital day for my violin kids. They all did beautifully...I'm very proud of all of them. It was my first full student recital! I was pumped at how smoothly it all went, thanks to other people helping!

Monday I was back to my 10 hour babysitting shift, then yesterday I finally got to sleep in for the first time in a long time. Then I taught, then I had the Law Wives Club over for a dessert/game night. This morning, I spoke/played at the Oxford Rotary Club at 7:30am, came home, got some work done, then took my orchestra kids to the Veterans' home. That also went really well! I was so proud of the kids for pulling off 6 songs! Yay! The experience level literally is 1 year of playing to 13 years of playing, so it's a challenge for me! From there, I taught until 5:15. I caught up on yesterday's american idol (found it online hehe...) and then watched the episode tonight at home. Life has been a little bit of a whirlwind here lately! Tomorrow is Madison's last exam!!! I couldn't be more relieved...I don't know what it is, but it seems longer this time around. I'm so sick of not being able to really spend quality time with him at all. I'm glad I have the law wives club girls to talk to about it. They obviously really understand what it is like to be married to a law student.
This weekend, I am playing in a wedding in Grenada, then we're thinking about going to Brookhaven for Mother's Day since we'll be an hour south already anyways! Margaret's birthday is Saturday also! Big eventful weekend for the Taylors!

Last night was crazy weather with tornadoes and such, (we were sitting in the bathroom at 4am...not fun at all...I am so not used to not having a basement!!!)
so I'm looking forward to going to bed really soon (I have to get up for work at 6:30!)
Here's my jobs right now:
Private teacher at the Fine Arts Academy (9 hrs/wk i think...), Private teacher at a local music store (1 hr/wk), private teacher at private school (1hr/wk) orchestra director at a local school (45 min/wk..but I arrange music for hours), and babysitter 20 hours a week, plus freelancing and being my trio's wedding booking agent haha.
I'm getting used to a busier schedule but it's making me have less time for things that keep me sane....ohhhh boy :) haha...Summer schedule is coming soon!

New Food Blog posts

2009-04-22T23:04:00.001-05:00

Texas Caviar (bean dip), Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Garlic Lime Chicken, Quick Chicken in Wine

Trying to get well!

2009-04-18T23:04:00.002-05:00

Well, I have officially been sick for more than a week. At first I thought it was allergies, then I started feeling worse and worse and it definitely wasn't allergies. I can breathe again which is good, but I still have a very runny nose, terrible croupy cough, and my left ear is completely plugged...ick. My ear makes me feel so off balance! I even tried using a Chinese ear candle, but it's still plugged. :-( I love those candles usually...they're awesome! My ear is just really bad...

I played a wedding today...it was hard to hear with my ear the way it is, but overall, it went okay. There are always the random things that happen, but overall it went smoothly. I have found a group that I like to play with (string trio).

Illusions seems to be getting worse...it's awful. It rattles/buzzes our windows and walls, and I can feel it still when I have headphones on. It has really tested my patience, and especially Madison's, since he is in full blown exam studying mode...I don't know how I am going to stand living here until the end of June, but we will make it work. It hurts my head it's so loud and gives me awful headaches. It is keeping us up until 1am most nights, if not later. Thursday night, I got under 4 hours of sleep. It is just as bad as being next to a loud car with lots of bass at a stop light.
Except for hours and hours....We call the police all the time...they will stop by sometimes...the volume goes down the slightest and then 15 minutes later, they crank it back up. The people at the end call the police every day. There's a noise ordinance, very specific to that sort of noise. It says it's supposed to always be quiet, especially between the hours of 11 & sometime in the morning...I wish they would crack down on them. I can feel it in my sofa that I'm sitting on right now. According to several sources, they let underage high schoolers, etc. in there a lot. I believe it. Such a trashy place...

It's wedding season! I have several weddings in the next few months. It's nice to get some checks from my freelance jobs like that and Easter, etc. It's also exam time...Until May 7, Madison and I will mostly just be able to speak at meals. Law school exams cover everything the whole semester, without any prior tests/homework...so yeah...they're intense. I will be looking forward to May 7 when I "get him back".

I have been painting and such today to try to relax and have something fun to do. This weekend has been a lot of work, so I'm happy to finally be able to relax tonight and tomorrow. I got to sleep in this morning for the first time in a long time! I think I got over 12 hours of sleep, haha! I made up for the >4 the night before...

Nothign else to report at the moment...just figuring out my summer schedule at the moment!

If you haven't seen this, you should!

2009-04-14T10:17:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Who will get voted off this week?

2009-04-13T22:45:00.001-05:00

Here's my guesses:
1. Lil Rounds
2. Kris
3. Anoop

how about yours?

Spring Cleaning

2009-04-08T12:28:00.002-05:00

I'm cleaning the laundry room out right now...who knew I could cram so much stuff in one tiny little space??

I'm reading lots of tips online to organize. Since we're moving in 2 months, I'm trying to de-junk our house so packing and moving is relatively light.

My students all have 3 more lessons after this week until the recital, so I have been busy trying to get everyone motivated to finish strong! I'm also practicing piano to make sure I can accompany some of them!

Madison has an oral argument (it's a pretty big deal) today, then after he's done with that, it's full on exam study time...we have definitely entered in the busy end of the semester mode.

Speaking of which, I better go!

Ready for a laugh?

2009-04-06T20:36:00.002-05:00

Oh my goodness...these are some hilarious, baaaaaaad Easter bunny cakes...
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/04/easterly-wind-is-blowing.html

Huge praise!!

2009-04-05T21:21:00.002-05:00

As you see to the left...
<---------------------- we have a countdown on the blog now until we move out of this place! yay!

So we were originally going to rent a yellow house with those people...the guy that was going to move out didn't get a law job, so he's staying later than they thought. However, a house 2 houses down from Kim & Jason is opening up in the end of June, which means they don't have to hold it for us, and we don't have to double-pay rent for the month of June! It's a brick house, same amount of bedrooms & baths and space, etc.! The icing on the cake was when we looked at it, and we found out there are no steps!!! Which means the piano can go in the house with ease! This is such a blessing...when looking at the incredibly rickety stairs of the other houses, we had no idea how that was going to work. Yay!

Sick kids in church...

2009-04-05T21:13:00.002-05:00

May I just go on a mini-rant and say how annoying it is when people bring their sick kids to church? Now, I'm not talking about the occasional sniff here...I'm talking full on sick. Well, there was a boy in back of me who was probably 5 or 6 and the poor little thing was hacking and sniffing like nobody's business and I was just so grossed out by all the germs I was picturing spreading around and it was also extremely distracting to hear him snorting and sniffing and coughing up a lung...gross!!!
So...we'll see if I am able to stay well...if not, I am going to be one unhappy camper! ha!

Barristers' Ball

2009-04-04T17:36:00.002-05:00

I never thought I'd be able to go to a formal event again after Wheaton, but I was wrong! I got to go to the Charity ball in Brookhaven earlier this semester, and last night was the Barristers' Ball at the Powerhouse, a cool arts council building in town that they rented out. There was a live band that was REALLY good (one of the best I had ever heard) and we danced and visited with several different people. I started getting a headache and started feeling rotten (my allergies are awful) so we headed home before most people at 11:30 or so, but we had been there for a long time anyways. We went out to dinner with two couples beforehand at Bouré. I had one of the best dishes I ever had! It was a chicken dish. yum yum!
Here's a few pictures - we didn't take many.

Aaron & Kelly

Madison & I outside Bouré

I'm annoyed with my bangs...they always do that!

Kelly & I

Countdown to moving...

2009-04-03T06:51:00.002-05:00

Let's just say I'm really looking forward to getting out of this awful place...last night, I was in bed for 8 hours, but I only slept 5.5 hours thanks to the stupid club BLASTING music. I was just about screaming and punching my pillow I was so annoyed. And on Fridays and Mondays I have to get up at 6:15! We called the cops twice and it didn't help...wonderful. July 1 couldn't come soon enough...

Liveblogging during American Idol

2009-03-31T19:35:00.010-05:00

1. Anoop - not his best performance, I usually like his voice though.
2. Meagan Joy - yuck, yuck, yuck...not a good song choice, and she has weird vibrato...the tattoo is really distracting as well. I haven't ever liked her, but I know some people do...
3. Danny - it was ok, but I was surprised at how much they liked it. There were a few out of tune notes, but overall I liked it pretty well. I can see him possibly making it to the finals.
4. Allison: I hated her outfit, and she's a little raspy for me. She has potential, but she was sort of screaming. I can see her making it to the finals though.
5. Scott - I liked his performance. I thought he did great! Best performance for him so far.
6. Matt- Shaky, raspy, I guess it's a good song choice for him, but not my favorite of the evening so far. I thought the higher stuff sounded better than tonight.
7. Lil - she was good tonight, I liked it for the most part. She has a good voice.
8. Adam - well, he's kinda creepy, but he hit the notes perfectly as far as pitch goes, even when he was "screeching" but hmm...not a huge fan. He did really well for him.
9. Kris - it was "safe" but he did well.

My vote: hmm...I have no idea! There wasn't one that just stood out to me...I'm not as impressed.

Who did you vote for/would you have voted for?

My Food Blog

2009-03-29T22:51:00.003-05:00

Because I find it chaotic to have both the food and the updates on the same blog, I decided to create a separate food blog! It has different lables at the top to browse my recipes I have already added. I went through and re-posted what I had on this blog on that one. It will be a sort-of online cookbook. :-)
Enjoy!
http://lizscucina.blogspot.com/

Carmen is over, and now Madison will be busy until May...

2009-03-29T21:00:00.003-05:00

Well, Carmen is finally over...I put so many hours into that opera! It was really nice that Madison, Danica, Jason, Suzanne, and Nowell came for the Friday night performance. I am extremely tired! I had a wedding yesterday that I played in, so I have been putting in lots of viola hours lately! I was so happy when our performance was over today...I am ready to get that music out of my head! It is continuously stuck in my head!

Well, Madison has his 30-page brief he has been working on a ton for a long time. It's due in just a few days, so he is wrapping it up and revising everything. After he turns that in, he starts studying for finals, along with his daily reading for class. From here on out until May, we won't see that much of each other. I am thankful that I have been through this once before now (Christmas exams) so I know how difficult it is going into it, but how rewarding it is afterwards in so many ways. I have really learned how to hold my tongue whenever I want to tell him something, I just write it down for later. It's really difficult, since he's one of the only people I have here, but at least it's temporary. I have been so busy lately, so I haven't really felt the difference in our communication on his end yet, but I know it's coming. I cannot imagine having to retain everything from the whole semester and study for a final that equals your entire grade...yikes!

I started a new student last week, and I am starting another new student on Wednesday! I cannot believe that I am still building my studio with how terrible the economy is! It's quite exciting! I am babysitting for a friend from law school. Her nanny quit, so I'm filling in until something else comes along for them. I have Mondays and Fridays off every week (my orchestra moved days) so I babysit from 9-6 those two days. Charlie Mac is 3 and Willa Ann is 1. They are really cute and fun.

The diet is going well! I already feel a tiny bit better, my jeans are sagging a bit, and I am not feeling dizzy or anything anymore. We are enjoying the low fat recipes from my low fat cookbook, and I am entering in my daily intake and excercise at myfitnesspal.com which is a free site that you can figure out how many calories you should eat for how much weight you want to lose, and if you add all your foods in there, it keeps track of how you are doing. I put in all the ingredients to what I made tonight and it figured out all the details of what I ate. It's really nice to have! My cravings for bad foods have finally stopped, and I don't feel like ruining my diet which is a great place to be! The only time I sort-of cheated was when we went out to dinner with friends...but even that was okay because I had such a light lunch, that my calories were hardly over...now I am being completely good though!

Well, I better get everything picked up since tomorrow I will be babysitting all day!
Liz

Pad Thai

2009-03-23T21:05:00.003-05:00

Even if you're not incredibly adventurous, you really should try this pad thai. It is SO good! I love it. I make it every so often. This is day 1 of our diet. I planned all of our meals out of my diet cookbooks (I have low fat cookbooks, etc.). This one is from my sister. It is really good and under 300 calories per serving. Even Madison loved it! I highly recommend it.
A hint: do all prep work before you cook everything in your wok or skillet...otherwise you will be stressed, trying to do stuff while things are cooking. Get lots of bowls out and prep everything ahead of time and place in the different bowls. I have little silicone prep bowls, but even cereal or small mixing bowls work well.

All these ingredients were at Kroger - I found most ingredients at Dominick's and Whole Foods when I lived in Wheaton. I know Wal Mart wouldn't have everything, but just about any grocery store will. It may sound gross, but I promise it is good :-)

Yield: 4 servings
----
2 quarts water
3/4 lb. mung bean sprouts
6 oz Rice noodles
----
Sauce:

3 tablespoons lime juice
3 tablespoons katsup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce or fish sauce (I use soy sauce...)
----
3 tablespoons Peanut oil or vegetable oil
3-4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed (or 2 teaspoons minced garlic)
1 tablespoon fresh chile (I used a jalepeno pepper) or 1 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups carrots; grated (I use a food processor grater, but you can grate w/ a cheese grater)
4 large eggs, lightly beaten with a pinch of salt
2/3 cup peanuts, chopped
6-8 scallions; chopped (about 1 cup)

In a covered pot, bring the water to a rolling boil.  Blanch the mung bean sprouts by placing them
in a strainer or small colander and dipping it into the boiling water for 30 seconds.
Set aside to drain well. When the water returns to a boil, stir in the rice noodles and cook for 3 to 5 minutes,
until tender but firm. These noodles stick easily, so stir often and put salt in the pot.
Drain the cooked noodles, rinse them under cool water, and set them aside to drain.       
Prepare the remaining ingredients and have them near at hand before you begin to stir-fry.
Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet.  Add the garlic and chile, swirl them in the oil for a moment, and stir in 
the grated carrots.  Stir-fry for 1 minute.  Push the carrots to the sides to make a hollow in the center.  Pour the
beaten eggs into the center and quickly scramble them.  When the eggs have just set, pour in the sauce mixture
and stir everything together.  Add the drained rice noodles and mung sprouts, and toss to distribute evenly.
Stir in the peanuts and scallions, and serve at once. Enjoy!!

Grating the carrots
 Patting the carrots dry:


Adding garlic & chile with oil in wok



Boiling the noodles:

Adding everything to the wok:

Jobs

2009-03-22T23:32:00.002-05:00

Since I will be in Oxford for sure this summer and I can fit all my students into 1-2 days (since they are out of school, I can work mornings or whatever works with a new job if I get one!), I am applying for some part time jobs. I did a lot of job searching this afternoon and gave it a whirl. Teaching children is so rewarding and I love it, and I still have a ton of room for new students if and when the come along. I just feel like I'm wasting so much money when I sit here all morning/afternoon before I work at my teaching job. I'm not going to name any jobs I'm applying for just because that's not very professional, but I am sort of excited about the idea. I feel like I would enjoy some type of part-time secretarial work or the like. That's basically what I'm applying for.
Life is very expensive...we definitely could use some more money...so that's obviously the main reason I'm most likely getting a second job. I can't believe I found a few jobs... I look close to every day and usually the jobs listed are for degrees/training I don't have, like nurses or counselors, etc. there just happened to be a few good ones posted finally.

I'm having a little bit of a hard time with my orchestra kids with scheduling conflicts and have lost 2 good players. It's really hard to see them go, and I have lost quite a big chunk of what I was planning on making because of it. Things are just tough right now and I am praying that a job will come through soon. We will be fine, things aren't scary or anything, it's just the normal newlywed bit...most of my friends work a few jobs, if not a full time job. I'm up for it...we'll see what comes of all of it.

Florida was a blast. It was so nice actually getting to see my husband when he's not highlighting a textbook or typing a brief or something. Of course he had a 30 page appellate brief he had to work on a chunk of the time, but it was definitely a good time seeing him more than I usually do, since he didn't have class to read for or to attend. It was nice getting away from this noisy place (yes I do have a countdown until we move...) and it was a good time. A huge answer to prayer: We were possibly going to have to pay double rent during June to secure the house...it was literally the only thing we could find and it was perfect for us! It's cheaper, so we will save money and all, but then we found out we had to pay for the month of June here and there...well, to make a long story short, the house we're going to rent is now not going to be available until a week or so before our lease here runs out! yay! no double rent! :-)

Well, I'm tired and Madison is still doing some homework...so I'm going to go to sleep!

Watch what you put on the internet...

2009-03-19T16:02:00.001-05:00

http://www.savvysugar.com/2946793

Crock Pot Pot Roast

2009-03-18T10:27:00.004-05:00

I never ever have made pot roast, and I don't cook with beef much...so this was a new experience for me! This will definitely be a recipe I keep and use on occasion. It had a lot of flavor (I don't really like the taste of plain beef without lots of spices, etc.). This recipe is from my friend Jordan - she's a great cook and has a lot of great recipes on her blog. It's also incredibly easy - you just throw it in the crock pot before you leave for work, and dinner is ready when you get home!

Jordan's Crock Pot Pot Roast

INGREDIENTS
2lbs Stew Meat
4 Carrots, chopped into big pieces
2 Stalks of Celery, also chopped
12 Small Potatoes (white or red)
1 Medium White Onion (I used small boiling onions, whole)
1C Water
1t Worcestershire sauce
2 Cloves garlic, whole
1/2T Oregano
1 Bay leaf
3/4T Salt
1/2T Black Pepper
1/2t Paprika

DIRECTIONS
Put everything into crock pot, stir just enough to mix spices. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high 4 to 6 hours. Serve with homemade biscuits and you’ve got a warm and comforting meal.

Away from internet

2009-03-13T10:22:00.001-05:00

I will be away from internet for a week. Lots of updates & pictures will be posted a week from now.
Hope everyone is well!

Back from Birmingham

2009-03-11T22:51:00.003-05:00

Well, we're back from Birmingham! It was quite the short trip, but we had a fun time. We were able to see Tully which was fun. She took us to one of her college hang outs. We had a fun time! Birmingham is a cool city. I'm kind of happy to be back in this small town without crazy traffic and all though...although it would be nice to live somewhere with lots of stuff around someday, I am enjoying this time to live in a small town...something completely different to what I am used to!

I have a relatively long day of teaching tomorrow from 2-6:30, then I am hosting our Bible study here at home so I have a lot to do! We're in the middle of a HUGE laundry mess...it was one of those times where everything just kind of exploded in here with the laundry...our laundry room is too small to even step in, so folding usually takes place on the table and around the living room...making it a huge ordeal when more than one load is going on at once...plus, I had to get everything ready for the interviews, etc. so all that stuff needed to be cleaned...so I left the house a mess...oh well! We'll get it done tomorrow no big deal...at least the girls will only see the front of our house :)

Nothing new to report. I'm going to try doing shorter, more regular posts and see how that goes.

Not like I eat anything close to this nasty, but now that I'm dieting, reading this blog definitely helps me stay away from nasty stuff...haha enjoy...
http://thisiswhyyourefat.com

Almost time for Spring Break!

2009-03-09T21:51:00.004-05:00

Since I am a teacher and all my kids have the same spring break, I do get spring break! Although I am very excited about it, it is a little bit of a forced pay cut that week...but, I will enjoy the break most definitely!

My friends went to Florida, and I enjoyed a call from them the night they got there. I admit, it was incredibly hard to sit there, thinking about how much fun it would be if I could have gone. There's no way that I could have, no matter how bad I wanted to go. I tried just about everything...but, at least I did everything I could...maybe next time I will be in the position to be able to see them (and they may come visit me!!! :-)) I still really miss friends & family...being this far away from everything continues to be difficult at times, but of course I also am very happy here.

We are absolutely officially moving this summer, and this is what our cute little house looks like:

Madison & I are going to Birmingham tomorrow through Wednesday to attend an interview for a summer position for him. I moved all of my lessons, since we only have 1 car anyways, and all my friends work during the day! I might as well go, since I would not be able to find a way to work and back home and back to work, etc...(I have a sporadic schedule!) Plus, I've never seen Birmingham, and we get to see Tully (Madison's sister) tomorrow night, so that'll be fun. If Madison decides on a job outside Oxford, I will still be teaching here and just squeezing all my students into 1-2 days...I can't just leave my students or anything, and we decided not to worry about it until we know what we're doing! (having 1 car may be a little bit of a challenge!)

Madison & I both have Friday off! I'm very excited...we are going to see the Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra on tour in Birmingham! I get to see a bunch of my friends, and Debbie! Madison & I just decided tonight for sure that we are going to his grandparents' beach house in Florida! So, we will most likely stay in Birmingham or something Friday night, then go to Florida from there! It's like a 6 hour drive to the beach house from Birmingham so not bad at all! (it's in the pan handle). I absolutely hate riding in the car and get carsick very easily (I can't look at magazines, read, or even look at directions). We will meet his Grandparents there, and then they're headed out the next morning. We just plan to play it by ear, but will most likely stay there until the following weekend. It will be our first non-honeymoon vacation together! And I was really sick, throwing up by the end of our honeymoon, so I will actually be well for this one. It will be a nice time and I cannot wait to get a tan :-) I'm going to bring battleship and some movies, and just enjoy the warmth outside (not like I'm not able to enjoy hot weather right now here too, but I don't want to lay out because we live next door to a few creepers!)

I had a colonoscopy last week - since mom passed away of colon cancer and I have had my share of stomach problems here lately, I was extremely concerned. But my results were clear!!! I feel so much happier and have so much more energy. I really think that was most of the depression I feel...it was really dragging me down. I'm a bit of a hypocondriac, but this was just the most worrysome experience for the past year or more, and SUCH a huge relief to know I'm okay!!! Every time my stomach hurt, I thought the worst...Praise God it's just normal sensitive stomach or maybe because I'm lactose intolerant and I don't follow a cheese/milk free diet whatsoever. (that's what lactaid chewables are for...when I remember them!)

Well, that's enough news for now!
Liz

Long time, no write

2009-02-27T11:20:00.003-06:00

I am terrible at blogging! I will try to do better!
We had a great weekend last weekend at the Taylors. We went to a charity ball. It was fun!
Here's a few pictures:
Madison & me with our friend Katy:

Tully (Madison's sister) & Katy with me

With the sisters-in-law at home (only college age & + go, so that's why Margaret isn't dressed up)

The Taylor kids

I'm at a "plateau" right now, as far as students go...I'm trying to brainstorm to come up with even more ways to get more students. I'm somewhat happy with the number, but it is definitely not even close to half of the students my sister has, and my goal was 25 students (I need 10 more to make it to 25). The orchestra job does help quite a bit, but since I'm the "bread winner", it is kind of added pressure to do as much as I can. I work really hard to get students, but with the economy, people are very reluctant to pay for violin lessons. I have had probably 15 or so people who have expressed interest, and then said no because of $.

My friends are going to Florida for a weekend next weekend - I wish I wasn't so far away from all my college friends. It's really hard to be so far away! New Years was fun, but way too short and busy. We didn't really get to visit as much as I would have liked. This will be the first year I don't go with them on our little tradition to Disney. I will miss so many things about it and it makes me so sad I can't go. I get really home sick for my friends from Wheaton. I was hoping since it was over a weekend instead of a week, we could afford it - but it's just out of the question with how little I make and all of our expenses here lately. I tried everything I could to go, but it's just not feasible. They may come visit me sometime - I just really wish I could find a way to go (I'm still searching for a possible cheap flight but doubt that is going to happen...flight are SO expensive!!!) So that has been kind of making me feel sad this week, although I'm trying my best not to be a downer, because no one wants to hang around someone like that...

So much happened in such a short time...college flew by so fast...too fast. One minute, I was taking the train into Chicago with the girls Freshman year, and the next minute, we were walking down the aisle in Edman graduating...3 weeks later, we got married and moved 632 miles away...that all happened so fast!

When you are there and able to live with your best friends or walk 2 doors away to their apartment for 4 years, you grow incredibly close and it is really hard to get used to being this far away!

I miss you girls!

Update on life

2009-02-15T20:39:00.003-06:00

Well, here I am again, being lazy and not updating like I should. Not a whole lot has happened since I last wrote, but a few interesting things have happened, I guess!

1. I got my hair cut! I love it, it is SO easy and light and fluffy! I used to dye my hair constantly (obsessively) and it was really really dead & dry on the ends, so that's the main reason I cut it. Dying my hair used to be a stress reliever and a way to keep from being "boring". hah. It's officially all my natural non dyed hair now! Yay! Then I decided I haven't really had anything above the 2 inches below the shoulder type cut since 8th grade! So it's a nice change. I got some side bangs too which hide my forehead better than when I swoop my hair over by myself. And the hairstylist literally costs exactly half of the one I went to in Wheaton! Yay for the cheap South...haha.

Before:

After:

2. We're moving! I hate, hate, hate that this house is so nice and perfect except for the VERY loud club in our back yard...it's bad. It has apparently changed ownerships, it was bad before. But it seems to have gotten even worse! It is loud until 1am. Our windows shake sometimes, and the low bass that often REALLY gets to me. Sometimes I just start crying because it gets to my nerves so bad night after night. (so maybe I'm a bit over sensitive to sound??? Poor Madison...) We have heard more explatives from rappers with our doors & windows shut and we're just sick of it! Well, our lease runs out this summer, and our friends from law school knew of a house for $75.00 less than this house per month. It's quiet, 5 miles out in the county, and you can paint it, have dogs, and it's just a tiny bit smaller than this place. It has an office & 2 bedrooms, a nice kitchen, washer & dryer, living room, and 2 bathrooms. The master bathroom is BIG! :-) We will have to be more creative with the layout of our furniture, but it will be well worth it! I am so pumped. The back has a fairly large deck and yard, where we will enjoy our grill and "toe roaster". Our next door neighbors will be aquiantences of ours, and it will be SO nice to know they're there for 2 more years as well. They're quiet and will be nice we/they need anything. We probably won't get a dog at least for now, but that doesn't mean I don't want one SO bad! Unfortunately, pets are expensive and right now, our budget doesn't allow for one. Some day! I have already thought of names, colors for the leash & collar, breeds, etc, etc. I need one of those things to keep me company, all those late nights when Madison is still doing his homework! I would love to have a sweet doggie to cuddle up with me while I am on my laptop or watching a movie/tv. Or even reading the occasional book (*gasp!*)

3. We had a nice, low key 1st married valentines' day. Can't believe we've been married for almost 9 months! We decided not to fight the Oxford traffic, plus it's expensive to eat out around here! We usually go for lunch if anything, just because it's cheaper. We were going to, but instead, we just grabbed something to eat here. I made dinner and a cake. I was proud of my cake...I always try to think of a reason to make a cake, because I love being creative with cakes! It all started when I was in Kroger, and they were selling heart shaped throw away cake pans. There were 2 of them in a pack. Then I went online and found this fun diet cake recipe on omnomicon's blog. I'm usually an unbleached flour, natural food when-it's-cheap type girl, so this was kind of a rare occasion for me! :-) Let's just say, Madison was SHOCKED when he cut open that cake! haha!

So here's what I did...

I divided the batter into 3 bowls. I used gel food coloring (better for you than the old stuff - and brighter!) and dripped it into the bowls to make pink, red, and left the yellow cake as is.

I greased the pans w/ crisco and flour to make it easy to flip them out to decorate.
One cake mix = 2 heart pans. I poured the majority of the red on the bottom of the first one, half of the yellow cake mix on top, and about 1/3 of the pink on the top. Then with the other, I did the opposite. Don't mix the colors, just dump on top of each other.

I baked for the normal time on the box directions, they came out just right.

I flipped the first one onto the cake platter and iced it.

Then I set the second layer & frosted it.

Tada!

4. I'm starting my 1st Saturday group lesson in 2 weeks and I'm pumped! It will be once a month! Bekah recommended a book that gives ideas and such and I am ready! I had 100% parent response which just warms my heart! I am so excited for these children to all meet each other and gain confidence by playing with and for each other! We will play theory based games, play for eachother, with eachother, play other music games, etc. I will definitely have to report how well I am able to control 7 children from ages 5-10!

That's about all, nothing else to report! :-)

25 things about me...because everyone is doing it...

2009-02-08T21:57:00.005-06:00

Because I'm that narcissistic...haha ;-)

1. I have lived in 7 states, 15 houses, 3 apartments, and 1 dorm.

2. I started playing violin at age 3 1/2

3. I don't really like turning on the TV ever...and when I do, I usually just get frustrated because I never know what is on when (this excludes the office).

4. I love children...I love my job...I actually sometimes even miss being a nanny believe it or not...I look forward to being a mom someday!

5. I love being with people once I'm with them, but have anxiety until I'm there! I am always glad when I make myself go somewhere, because once I'm there, I am very glad!

6. I always want to be early to everything...and then sit in my car until it's time to go in.

7. I play the piano when I'm sad

8. Baking & cooking is a stress reliever. I absolutely love it.

9. Madison was 18 and I was 19 when we met. We talked all during Christmas break of '04, and officially started dating Jan 17, 2005. We got engaged Dec. 2006, and got married May 2008. I had a crush on him first! ;-)

10. I am a obsessive micro-manager when it comes to Madison & my calendars and such. I really try to chill out so I don't annoy people!!! My poor husband...

11. I love to paint but am a little hesitant of showing anyone the results

12. I sing when I'm alone in my car or at home constantly

13. I love hearing different peoples' laughs

14. I technically need glasses all the time but hate wearing them and my eyes are too sensitive for contacts (one time Bekah spent about 1 hr getting a contact out of my eye). So I just walk around with very blurry vision...I only wear glasses when driving or when reading music. I have trouble seeing close up stuff and far away stuff...go figure...I'm a freak.

15. I absolutely love board games!

16. I have never been to New York city

17. I have been to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, England, Scotland, Mexico, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Poland, St. Thomas, Kitts, US Virgin Islands, Caymen Islands, St. Lucia, St. Martin, and Puerto Rico.

18. I have an electric violin, and an electric guitar

19. I absolutely HATE when people crack their knuckles and have literally never cracked a single knuckle

20. I lose keys, purses, phones, etc. like crazy and I'm very forgetful...VERY forgetful.

21. I love knitting, sewing, scrapbooking, making jewelry, etc.

22. Madison & I have been together for four years total

23. I am obsessed with bubble tea (if you don't know what it is, you are really missing out - unfortunately the closest place is in Cordova, TN and yes I have been there)

24. I am obsessed with taking pictures & love looking at pictures a lot...I really look forward to when we can afford a good camera.

25. I never delete messages in my inbox (total right now in my gmail inbox: 2128) facebook inbox: 118

A fun weekend [Recipe: Spinach Stuffed Chicken]

2009-02-02T20:12:00.004-06:00

Well, it's Monday, which means back to work! Today I got a lot done. I sorted a bunch of laundry, I cleaned, made a mess, and re-cleaned the kitchen, and I got a bunch of lesson planning and such done. I also arranged something for my little orchestra at Regents. This Friday night, the orchestra is playing for the school's talent show during intermission. We just started all our new music, so it will be a little rough, but it will still be fun! The principle and his wife want their son to take violin lessons from me, so she and I are meeting this week to discuss lessons. I think I may teach him at Regents right after orchestra, since they have to stay there until 4pm anyways.

This weekend was great. Friday night, we had Danica, Jason, Danica's sister Bethany, Kayla & Daniel over. It was fun spending time with Danica's sister, and we thought that it would be a fun thing to do while she was in town. We have gotten to know our [relatively new] friends, Kayla & Daniel through a few different things, such as a Bible study we were in last semester, and Kayla & Danica are my Curves workout buddies. We hung out a bit in the Grove too, so over time, we have gotten to know them. They're a lot of fun. They are getting married in June, and I am playing in her wedding in Brookhaven.

Sunday night, we went over to Aaron & Kelly's house for a fun Superbowl party. There were other law school people there as well, and it was fun hanging out and eating lots of delicious food. They were very good hosts and everyone enjoyed themselves. I brought Knorr dip and a football field cake. I love decorating cakes! I may not be very good at it, but I love anything to do with painting or decorating cakes. It's so much fun for me, and quite relaxing! I would love decorating cakes for a living, but I don't think I would make as much as I do teaching violin :-) Probably not the most profitable living around here.

Recipe of the day: Spinach Stuffed Chicken (I halved this recipe & it was still too much for Madison & I to eat)

It was funny, I went online to find a recipe that I could use a half of a bag of fresh spinach, some bacon, chicken, and sour cream (because these were all things I had to buy for our get-togethers this weekend) and I found this amazing recipe! I will definitely be making this again.

(note: this is not the halved recipe)
INGREDIENTS:
1 (10 oz) package fresh spinach leaves
1/2 cup lowfat or regular sour cream
1/2 cup shredded mozzerella
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 pinch chili pepper
8 strips turkey bacon or regular bacon (uncooked)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F

2. Place spinach in a large glass bowl, and heat in the microwave for 3 minutes, stirring every minute or so, or until wilted.

3. Stir in sour cream, cheese, garlic, black pepper, and chili powder.

4. Pound chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thickness. (I put saran wrap on the chicken so the gross chicken juice doesn't spray everywhere!)

5. Lay the chicken breasts out on a clean surface, and spoon some of the spinach mixture onto each one.

6. Roll up chicken to enclose the spinach, then wrap each chicken breast with two slices of bacon. Secure with toothpicks, and arrange in a shallow baking dish. (I did not have toothpicks, hence the crazy skewer sticks!)

7. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes in the preheated oven, then increase heat to 500 degrees F, or use the oven's broiler to cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to brown the bacon.

I took the bacon off (we are watching our fat intake) but it didn't necessarily say that you can't eat it. I also only like extra crispy bacon. It keeps the chicken nice & moist, and gives it just the slightest hint of bacon taste. mm!
I highly recommend this recipe! We were going to make it this weekend as a special treat, then we realized we were busy all weekend, so I decided to make it tonight. It's relatively low-fat and really tasty!

More new students, etc.

2009-01-23T09:09:00.004-06:00

Well, life has been very busy. We have been on the phones with the insurance companies and such a lot, which takes up more of your time than you would think! We still have "baby head" as Madison calls it, where when you wake up in the morning, you need to lift your head with your hands because it hurts to lift it on its own, and we get sore if we are sitting in one place too long. The hardest thing for me is not being able to sleep at night. I have never ever had a problem sleeping before, but because of the pain & awkwardness of trying to find a good sleeping position when you are usually used to plopping on your stomach and passing out within minutes (if not seconds), it's kinda frustrating! But hey, I'm just thankful we are okay and were protected in that accident.

Thankfully, I have a few breaks in my lessons. I didn't teach the first of the week, but I'm back to teaching now. I started 3 boys and a girl in the last 2 weeks, and start a woman next week (she's 30-ish). Another man knocked on the door at the beginning of a lesson and is from the church I teach at. They have 5 boys, and one of them is interested in taking violin lessons. The students are trickling in at a faster rate. It's very encouraging and exciting. At first it was really stressful, because I started out with just 2. I honestly don't even know how many I have now! I would have to count in my planner! I teach Regents today. I hope they aren't too terribly hyper, but I'm definitely going to take some aleve before I go.

Madison is back full swing in school. Most evenings he's able to stop work at a decent hour, but there have already been a few late nights. That's just how it goes. It's hard to get used to at first! We are figuring out our schedules and have finally figured out who drops off who and when. Right now we have a rental car, then this weekend we are going to drive up somewhere halfway or something and borrow a car from my dad (he still has 2). He originally wanted us to drive all the way up to Normal on Monday and drive back Tuesday, but Madison & I have school & work that we need to do, and that is an awful long way (8.5 hours one way) so I think we've talked him down to St. Louis, which is still going to be rough. Riding in the car really hurts. :-( He originally said he would drive it down and fly out of Memphis or something, but he is busy with Toni & her girls this weekend. Ouch.

But, we will be fine, and it's a car to drive, so if we have to drive an 11 hour round trip to get a car to borrow until this all blows over and we figure something out, we will I guess. No other options are given to us, so that's what we are going to have to do, which is okay.

I am determined to have a better attitude on life and take things in stride. I have been disappointed by different people that haven't lived up to my expectations, and I feel like part of that is my fault for giving them any expectations to start off with. Maybe if I expect nothing, things will be little nice pleasant surprises or something instead of disappointments. I have a tendency to feel bitter towards people which is not a good thing and I am working on it! Sometimes it's hard but hey, everyone struggles with at least something, right?

I have been lazy with cooking because of our accident, so no recipes today. We ate take out & fast food and such this week (thanks to help by Madison's parents!) and then a very sweet mom of one of my students brought us not only an amazing dinner, but 3 frozen casserole meals as well, and a breakfast blueberry pecan cake roll! We have been all set this week and feel so blessed by the wonderful people who are so kind and generous.

When you feel like you've almost had a second chance at life, your prospective changes a little. All the little things that bugged me about myself (and big things) seem to be more important to work on. And all the people I have neglected via phone and such are also more important to get ahold of. I remember that second when I had bubblegum limeade all over me (read the accident post) let's just say that scared the living daylights out of me. It was dark, so I didn't know what it was. After my bloody murder scream, I realized I could still move and heard Madison whispering "it's okay it's okay it's okay" and I started sobbing because I couldn't believe both of us were okay...that is still so traumatic for me to think about and makes me shudder. On that wonderful note (hah) I am going to go get some work done.

Update

2009-01-18T13:13:00.004-06:00

Hello everyone, just a little update. We're both in excruciating pain still - you have to get creative when trying to stay clean and such when you've been in a car accident and you can't bend your neck or back much at all! The weight of a towel on my head hurt way too much to keep it there for long. As long as we take our meds, we feel relatively great. Coming from me, you know I have to be benefiting from meds when I will say the side effects of having dry mouth & being drowsy are worth it. I absolutely hate taking medicine, especially ones that make you drowsy. It's one of those things that you wake up crying in pain and take your meds really quick and within a half hour, you feel relatively normal except for the woosyness. I woke up this morning and forgot what happened for a second. I felt like I had been dropped on my head & beat up or something! It quickly came back to me that we were in an accident. I'm surprised neither of us have said too many crazy things being on vicadin and all. All I said one night is, "I hear puppies barking in my ears!" It isn't very strong though, because both of us are able to function pretty normally (other than the fact that we can't operate a car or anything).
We were laughing at the hospital when both of us were wheeled in wheelchairs and left in the hall waiting for our x rays...Madison joked about how this would be us in 60 years...haha oh dear.
I keep on thinking "oh, I'm fine, I don't need the medicine..." then it wears off and I get really cranky because of the pain. I take after my mom about not taking medicine unless it is absolutely necessary. But believe me, it is necessary. I keep on thinking the accident wasn't "that bad", until I remember how I was suspended by my seatbelt and slammed back into my seat. My door was bent and they had trouble getting it open. Poor Madison was suspended by his seatbelt, and when he came back into his seat, his seat broke and was flat down, so he was lying down when the car stopped. Our sunroof slider thing went through the top of the car, and our stuff like I said flew everywhere.
Funny story for you: Sonic has these really yummy cherry limeade drinks that we LOVE. when we were leaving, it was "happy hour". 2 for 1. So we decided for the road, we would get a cherry limeade like we normally do when travelling. I took a sip and said "this tastes like bubblegum...YUCK!" and Madison tasted his and his tasted like it too. They accidently squirted the wrong flavoring in our drinks. When we got in our accident, we felt sticky pink stuff on us, and realized that our bubblegum drinks got all over us. So not only were we in an accident, but we had sticky pink drinks all over us!!!

We would appreciate your prayers, as we are still fairly traumatized from the accident and in pain. One of us needs to go off our meds tomorrow to try to drive home, but we are going to see how that goes. This was our only car, so we are trying to figure out the logistics of renting a car and then getting either a new (used) car, or borrowing another from my dad. He gave us that car when we got married, it was the car I used in high school. It will all work out. God is good.

Ouch

2009-01-17T12:23:00.001-06:00

We woke up in pain, but honestly, not as bad as I expected. I definitely need to take my muscle relaxers, but we are doing okay this morning. :) Later, we are going to try to get some pictures of the car in daylight for insurance purposes, but I will also post some on here.

I'm just thankful we're alive.

Our accident

2009-01-17T00:29:00.003-06:00

I will write more details later, I am in a recliner in excruciating pain, but wanted to let everyone know that Madison & I are at the Taylors being pampered after a very scary accident. Our necks are bent the wrong way (I don't understand completely) but it's definitely not close to the worst we could have had. I am so thankful for God's protection. We were on the highway on I-55 South. The person in front of us stopped really fast, so Madison put on the brakes to avoid rear ending them. The girl behind us was most likely texting or something, because we were almost stopped, and she plowed into us going 65 or so. Everything in our car flew everywhere, and Madison's seat is completely flattened. We actually did not rear end the person in front of us, praise the Lord. Our car is most likely totaled - if not very very close. We spent a while in the hospital and we were released some pain killers and muscle relaxers.
Here's a picture of the back of the car from my phone.
Ok, just popped a vicadin so I'm going to do y'all a favor by signing off and trying to go to bed. Praise the Lord that we were protected and had a tank of a car to protect us.

4 years together

2009-01-16T11:33:00.002-06:00

It's hard to believe that 4 years ago, Madison and I went on our first official date in freezing 3 degree weather to downtown Chicago! :) We rode the train into Chicago and he took me to the Shedd Aquarium. After we were crazies and tried to find Navy Pier on foot with no luck in the extremely cold weather, we stopped into Bennigans near Ogalvie for dinner. We rode the train back to campus and I think I shivered for the next hour or so! It's a wonder neither of us got sick, as far as I can remember. We spent that Christmas break talking to each other every day on AIM, then we started hanging out a lot as soon as we got back to school. :-) And the rest is history!

The beginning of a new semester

2009-01-15T12:13:00.003-06:00

Well, it has all started! I cannot believe it's already almost the end of the week now! This week has really flown by. Last weekend, Tully & Margaret came up and we had a wonderful time with them. We absolutely love having visitors, and we had so much fun spending lots of quality time with them before our crazy week began. One morning, I made my dad's recipe for Blueberry Muffins. Although the topping was a little too sweet because I forgot to add the cinnamon, they were really good if I may say so. You can find the recipe at the end of today's post.

Madison's classes are going well. He really enjoys law school. It's definitely his niche. I'm so proud of him for completing a successful semester, and I think we both felt like our break was a sufficient amount of time and rest before we headed back at the beginning of the week.

I started 3 new students this week, and 1 next week! Well, I start one at 4pm today which makes for the 3rd. I have an adorable 3 year old student named Charlie Mac who is very well behaved. He is going to be such a fun little student to have. He's very excited to play the "bio-win". Then, there's Broch who is a 21 year old viola student. Then I start Meagan, age 14 at 4pm today. Now my students range in ages from 3-61! I start a new student in her early 30's next week. She's a mom, and has been playing piano for 22 years. She has always wanted to play the violin, so she found me and decided to pick it up.

Tomorrow I start the new semester with the Regents Chamber Orchestra. I'm looking forward to some rep with them that I have found, I think they will enjoy it. I had to order a new baton, my old one was snapped in one of the boxes from moving. It is so much fun to work with those kids. They have so much energy and love playing in the orchestra, which is exciting. We're going to play for the Veterans' home later this semester. Apparently it's a pretty large one.

Well, I'm going to take a power nap before I teach my last 3 lessons of the day. I had 2 this morning, then 3 later on, then I prepare my music for tomorrow at Regents. Not too bad of a day :-)

Here's the muffin recipe:

Steve's Blueberry Muffins
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup white sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 TBS of finely grated lemon peel
1 egg
1 cup fresh blueberries

Crumble:
½ cup white sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup butter, cubed
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease muffin tins with Crisco or line with muffin liners. Combine 1 ½ cups flour, ¾ cup sugar, salt, lemon peel, and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture. Mix the crumble ingredients with a fork before sprinkling on top of muffin mixture. Bake for 20-25 mins. Yield: 12 muffins

We're back home

2009-01-05T14:07:00.004-06:00

After finishing exams & work on the 18th, packing up that Saturday and heading down to Brookhaven (4 hr drive), we spent Christmas there. As I wrote a little bit below, we had a wonderful first Christmas together. It was really fun to spend Christmas with Madison's family, and see the different traditions and such. We had a great time there. And I got a sewing machine!!! I am so excited to use it...last night when we came home, I immediately went to the office and looked at it again. :-) I'm pumped to use it, and it will be nice to have stuff to do while Madison is busy with his classes. I will definitley blog about my projects. I have a feeling I won't see Madison nearly as much this semester...his classes are obviously going to be harder, and with some of the profs he has, I feel like it's going to be a lot more time consuming than it already was this semester. So, I will sew, and I will do fun projects, as well as getting back into composing music which I love to do for fun. I also plan to learn something difficult on violin, and work on my Chopin piece I'm learning on piano.

After driving to Preston, MS to see Madison's grandparents on the 26th-27th, we made the trek back to Oxford and arrived that evening. We did laundry and packed back up for Illinois. We got up somewhat early on the 28th, and drove to Normal, IL. (8.5 hours). After hanging out with dad and doing our Christmas with him, we went to Wheaton on the 30th. It was a really busy time and we didn't get to see everyone we wanted to see, but it was really fun. Just not long enough! We wanted to go to IKEA & Aurora outlet malls and such, but our time was limited. We had a great New Years Eve with friends, and had a blast. It flew by way too fast! We went back to Dad's the night of the 1st, watched the Cotton Bowl on the 2nd and hung around Normal, then on the 3rd, we headed back home. And here we are!

We are figuring out our schedules and I am coming up with a master copy of both of our schedules so we both can keep track of each other. We have been rocking out to our Rock Band 2 and having fun playing mario party and such. Madison is reading a Law & Bioethics book for fun, and I'm working on menu planning & finding new recipes. Madison's grandma gave me 2 huge binders of all her favorite recipes, so I have been flipping through the one Bekah made of all my family recipes, and that one, and making lists. It's more fun than it sounds!

We both start back on the 12th, so it's nice to have a completely chill week. We are taking walks every day and trying to get back into being healthy & being in shape. We're having fun spending time at home after a very crazy but fun couple of weeks. We're exhausted!

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T10:18:00.006-06:00

This year has been a great, exciting, busy year. It started off with getting a macbook when my computer died. It was also my last semester at Wheaton, and many fun memories with friends. The year started off with a beautiful snow in Wheaton:

I played my senior recital:

We found out Madison was in at Ole Miss law school and road tripped to check it all out:

We had our senior banquet, while Madison presented a poster at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in San Fransisco, CA.

We went to Orchestra & Glee Banquets both held in Chicago:

Madison, social chair of Glee Club:

In Chicago for Orchestra banquet:

Spring break to FL with my girls (Lauren, Laura, and Kristin)

Last Orchestra/Glee Club concert:

Conservatory (music majors) Goodbye Brunch:

Photo Shoots with friends:

Graduation:

Bridal Showers (pictures not loaded)

Rehearsal/Rehearsal Dinner:

Wedding: We got married on May 31, 2008 - it was a wonderful day and I was so happy that everything fell in place so nicely. Such a happy day!!!
When we first saw each other:

Our families:

Our bridal party:

Honeymoon in Santa Fe, NM

Kate's Wedding: (1 week after ours)

Visited/Dog sat for my sister & brother-in-law in NC

Moving day - Madison's parents helped us move and they were a HUGE help!

Our reception party in MS:

Job/School - I got all my students and started the orchestra program at the small Christian school, and Madison had a wonderful first year of law school

Football games with friends/Tully visiting us from Birmingham

Halloween with friends:

Jim & Pam on the Halloween espisode

Seeing Wheaton friends (Aryn & Lauren) in Memphis:

Thanksgiving with my family - their first visit to MS! (& decorating for Christmas)

Christmas with Madison's family - our first one together!!!

And now, we are here in Wheaton, visiting with friends and bringing in the New Year with celebration and excitement!

Happy New Year everyone!

Our Christmas celebrations continue

2008-12-29T11:07:00.004-06:00

Madison and I have never spent a Christmas or Thanksgiving together before, so it has been really fun to experience everything together this year! After having a wonderful time with the Taylors over Christmas, we are now in Normal, IL with my dad for a while. We're going up to Wheaton to see our friends and celebrate new years with them, then back here for a day before we head home to Oxford. Our festivities have really been drawn out which has made it fun. We arrived last weekend to the Taylors, and enjoyed pre-Christmas time playing games, last minute shopping, etc. Then on Christmas Eve, I played at the Christmas Eve service at their church. The service went very well, and it was nice to experience it all. Overall, it was a pretty easy day, considering that is the 3 year mark of my mom's death.

Christmas day was exciting -- we got up, opened presents, had an amazing late lunch, then all the cousins & aunts & uncles came over later that evening. The next day, we headed up to Madison's grandparents, spent the night, went back to Oxford, did laundry & wrapped dad's presents, cleaned out the car & filled it with much warmer clothes, coats, etc., and took off the following morning (yesterday morning) for Normal. We left about 9am and made it here by 5:15. Not a terrible drive. Madison and I had fun making lots of mixes the night before, so between that and talking about how much fun we had at Christmas, etc., we had a pretty good trip. I get very impatient when I have to be in the car for more than 6 or so hours so at times I was probably acting a little crazy/loopy, but Madison survived the trip with me just fine. :-)

Today we are just hanging out in the exciting town of Normal...(ha ha), and possibly going to a movie -- then tonight we're doing Christmas, and tomorrow early-ish, we are headed to Wheaton for a few days! Yay!

When I get home, I will take pictures of some of my presents and blog about it!