"...give a dog a bone..."

Actual conversation that took place between Chris and me last night.

me: Chris, we need to think about what we're gonna sell at our garage sale this summer.
Chris: OK well we can sell some of that old furniture in the garage and my old computer...
me: OK good! We also have some old dishes and nicknack's...
Chris: and paddy whacks?
me: (not controlling my laughter...)
Chris: Robin that wasn't THAT funny.
me: yeah it was. It was just so quick.
Chris: Isn't that why you married me?

Looking Forward

Well, my trip to Waco, Texas turned out to be a very productive visit. Not only did I make a great contact at Baylor but I also got to see where I will be living. A few months ago, I was looking at Baylor's housing listing, I saw a listing for a two bedroom, one bathroom duplex. Called Chris and told him about it and he looked at it when he had a break between classes. He said it was really nice and that the landlords were pleasant, so I went out on a limb and we decided to go for it. Sent them our deposit and signed the contract. It's a great deal all bills included and since Chris is so bluntly honest about everything, I knew that I could trust him. But, on Tuesday when we were driving around to Mapquests crazy directions I started to rethinking all that. But, with just a few quick u-turns we found Lakeshore Drive and then Forrester Lane and then my duplex. And as usual Chris came through and the duplex, more like a small house, is fantastic. New everything and so nice. I can't wait to move in and start making it a home. I should have taken pictures, but I forgot. And thanks to my new Waco friends found on ole blogspot, I have a few other job prospects. I can now imagine my life in Waco and getting very excited.

Taking the plunge...

We are moving to Waco. There it is. I said it. I am pretty terrible with change. I pretty much hate it. I think part of the reason I married Chris is because he loves change and forces me to "go out on a limb" with him. Naturally, I am excited about certain things. A new, nicer place to live. A wider selection of restaurants to eat at, more stores to shop at and new people to meet. But there are certain fears that also go along with all of this. The number one fear on my mind is finding a well paying job. I also worry about meeting friends, getting lost in Waco, finding a church and once again getting settled in a life that I will soon have to move on from. You see, when you are married to a visionary and a adventurer you are destined to never be in one place for long. A good and hard thing all at the same time. The good thing is that I will never be bored or feel confined to the ordinary. Which is also a fear of mine by the way. The hard things are that I am a nester. I get attached to schedules, people and places quickly. So, in less than two months I will be "taking the plunge" and moving on. Leaving all that I know and facing the unknown. My house that I literally put my own blood, sweat and tears into. Nexus, where Chris became a pastor, HPU, my home away from home and Brownwood. The town Chris and I feel in love in, got married and lived our first year of marriage in. Saying goodbye will be hard. This is where my visionary and adventurer will come in handy, as he is also my rock.

A typical Monday for me is after work, I head to my aerobics class and then on to my small group. Last night was no different. I enjoyed a good workout and a little yoga to finish up the hour. While we were putting up our weights, steps and balls, someone mentioned that they'd seen "Christian Yoga" for sale. I immediately had to restrain myself from not rolling my eyes and muttering sarcastic things under my breath. So I just went about my business and quickly left. I got to my small group in a whats fair to say a pretty irritable mood. Maybe it was the peanut butter sandwiches for dinner or the complete and utter lack of actual community that we have, but I was pissy. To add insult to injury we got on the topic of "Non-Christians" a pretty hot button issue for me. (Pretty much my entire immediate family are not believers.) The discussion inevitably lead to how "we can't expect non-Christians to be moral or to act like we do. They just don't know any better. They're not Christians after all." Yeah, cause we Christians are always in a place to act like we're always doing and saying the right thing. Not to mention that lots "non-Christians" don't cheat on their taxes or their spouses. They know the difference between right and wrong and often do what's right even though we assume they don't even have a conscience. When did we get into the business of separating ourselves from the outside world? Someone kept saying "We just need to live life with them." And I agree with that statement, but my question is what use is it live life with someone when you've already sized them up in your head. Don't you think they're going to see that in your eyes? Your heart? Even your actions? I do. Maybe we could just try to see EVERYONE though God's eyes. It's not easy, but it's worth a try right? Then we can really live life together.

All you need is...

The Lead of Love

I am literally going crazy about this job thing. It really is on my mind every minute of every day. It's a good thing I'm so tired at night, otherwise I would never go to sleep. Looking for a job really can make you doubt yourself. Just yesterday I heard from two of my great friends that they had gotten jobs in the field they wanted in the city they wanted. Believe me, I'm happy for them and proud of them, but also sad for me. Selfish, Selfish, Selfish. I keep hearing this Caemonds Call song in my head "...had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view..." and so I just keep repeating and singing that phrase over and over. My head is getting it, but my heart isn't feeling it just yet. Everyday I contemplate a different job. Yesterday it was doing some sort of media for a church, today maybe children's ministry. I do have some good experience. Or maybe Chris and I will both be working at Starbucks. Or maybe I really will have to walk the rocks until I see that mountain view.

I feel like this today. All mixed up and colorful.

A few of my favorite things...

Inspired by my friend Misty and her baby-girl Audrey I too have decided to make a list of my favorite things.

1. making Chris laugh really hard by doing or saying something really crazy.
2. sitting outside on a nice summer evening to eat dinner or drink an iced beverage
3. My Dad
4. Cats. I love those little cat faces
5. buying the perfect gift for someone
6. receiving the perfect gift from someone
7. hearing Chris preach
8. chips and salsa
9. holding babies... but who doesn't
10. going to the beach
11. Avocados/guacamole
12. Finding recipes on the Internet
13. trying out said recipes
14. sleeping in on Saturdays
15. weddings
16. going on dates with Chris
17. my birthday
18. romantic comedies
19. sandwiches
20. Chris Richardson

working 9 to 5

Nothing can drop drop your self esteem about a hundred notches more than looking for a job. That or bathing suit shopping. No woman ever likes to be confronted with having to look in the mirror after a long winter and see their pasty, slightly pudgy self in a very tiny and brightly colored two piece bathing suit. But, I digress.... I am in the process of finding a job in Waco, Texas. I will be moving there in just a few short months, so that my husband can finish graduate school. Seminary to be precise. You would think moving to a larger town with more possibilities would open much bigger and nicer doors in the job market department. So far it hasn't. It's just made me feel that I am a hopeless human being with no potential or intellect. My self proclaimed "kick ass" resume is apparently a little lack luster to employers. I try to be positive to friends and co-workers, but the truth is, I am dying inside with disappointment. Being brave is sure not what it's cracked up to be. And neither is finding a job.