and when you dream, dream big.

I made a point NOT to make new year's resolutions this year. Last year I made some really concrete challenging goals and wrote them down and set them next to my bed. All year long I felt motivated and slightly nervous to achieve those goals. Things I thought I could not do.

1) Quit current job and find new job. (i will update on this more later...)

2) Have a garage sale. Get rid of LOTS of stuff and get organized.

3) Run 3 miles under 30 minutes.

Those were some of my goals and I was able to do them. It was very exciting to cross them off my list and I do think writing things down can really help dreams (or even simple goals) become more attainable.

I have some more broad goals this year. I might make them more concrete as time goes on but this is what i have for now:

1) Don't let financial security be the biggest factor in making decisions.
2) Take a class or lesson.
3) Prioritize friendships and family time.
4) Prioritize God. Memorize new Bible verse each week. (So far it is almost March and I have only learned 2 verses...need to amp this up)


anywho, those are the goals. hopefully not too vague.

peace out,
S.

I'm alive.

......stay tuned for a post in the next day or 2!

Halloween 2011 Costume Recap.

Uncanny, no?

Our God is an awesome God.

without facebook.

without facebook, i have had more time to watch tv (is that a good thing?!) and I have discovered two great shows.

Show #1: Modern Family. Beyond Hilarious. A dysfunctional family that would be a lot of fun to be a part of. Sassy characters and awkward moments galore.

and show #2: The Rachel Zoe Project. This gem was discovered on the Bravo network (man Bravo never lets me down!) and will definitely make you want to quit your day job and become a fashion-ista. Hilarious Rachel-isms. Also sign up for the Zoe Report (http://www.thezoereport.com) as a way to add some fun into your inbox.

when you're a celebrity.

If you happen to have no work between the hours of 11am to 12pm tomorrow morning you should turn on The Price is Right and check out my cousin Jake Kool. He is going to be on the 2nd half of the show.....and they say dreams don't come true!!!!!

Perspective

This is a positive-i'm so thankful-kinda post. You know i have been restless in my job for the past 8 months. That is no secret on this blog, to my husband, to my family and to my close friends. However, beyond my restlessness, I am so so grateful to have a job. I can say this the day after I get turned down from a job I had really wanted. God has a great plan. I have a job where I work 40 hours. I have a job where I have health benefits. And 90 hours paid vacation. Great coworkers. Great patients. I get to meet some really interesting and kind people.

Did anyone see the cover of the Grand Rapids Press this week? It highlighted how bad our economy still is. I am constantly amazed by the level of poverty that so many people down our streets are living in. My friend Jerry spent his whole life as a truck driver and is now retired. How is he spending his retirement? Driving around to grocery stores and collecting all the goods that they are going to throw away. Then he gives out this food 2 afternoons a week to anyone in need. No qualifications required. He says he's been seeing more and more people in the past few months than ever before. Lots of little kids, even.

It really does make me sad. It makes me gain a great deal of perspective on my complaining about a job that doesn't challenge me enough. I am lucky enough to be able to go home and read books and paint and see my friends and travel and basically just live a very full and happy life. I do not worry about my next meal. I am very blessed and it is high time for me to open up my eyes and see how I can begin to give back to others what i have been given.

love S