Wednesday.....

For a quick update...I LOVE NOT WORKING!!! I can't even describe the kind of weight that has been lifted off my shoulders....I can't believe how much crap a job you don't like can bring to you everyday outlook.... Or maybe I just slowly got worse at not letting that effect who I was or my mood. But now that it's done and a thing of the past...the days fly by and I can't get everything done. I'm hoping to keep that up once the move happens....we shall see. I imagine it will take some time getting things organized and rightfully placed in our new home. Good thing Amber will be with me to make it a joyful few days of transition! Ryan has been working hard to finish up school requirements....he's been doing his classmates dental work to alter little tiny things with their teeth that NO ONE sees but them....hahaha. Tiny chips in front teeth, smoothing out rough edges, this old filling color doesn't really match very well, lets just do it over again. wow. The life of a dentist. =)

Today, life is good....despite the consecutive rainy days....I will enjoy the last 10 days of Nebraska. =) Then maybe blogging will be more of a regular occurance...

It has now been 1 full week since the last post. I am feeling stightly guilty. But know this, not a day has gone by when I have not thought of a new post, but my mind cannot come up with the words to say. Nothing worthy of reporting has happened within the last week, so the detailed list of events will not be mentioned. However, there are a few countdowns that deserve mention:

1. Retirement from Wells Fargo is nearing: 4 days.
2. Ryan's last day of school ever: 11 days.
3. The metals come off: 17 days.
4. Brother-in-Law is home for 2 weeks: 19 days.
5. Our address changes to one of Michigan: 20 days.
6. Until we are parents: Could be years.
7. Having you as readers: Priceless.

haha. Ok on with truth. All are exciting and worthy of a tear off chain. I am looking forward to the move more than anything, and am sick of talkin about it. I just want to do it. But I will try to be patient as the chances of me residing in Nebraska ever again are slim to none. I should be livin it up! I will miss the family that is close, but it just gives me more reason to travel for weekend trips!

Of course as life happens, there is a lot of 'unknown'....we're not even guaranteed tomorrow, by God's grace we'll see weekend plans, summer vacations, and trips for the holidays planned far in advance. So there's always a decent amount of unknown to count on. But right now I'm feeling the maximum amount...in a good way- because I have absolutely no idea what to expect in many different areas. What church we will attend, who are friends will be, what job I will have, our budget changes, paying off debt, how long we will live in our apartment, how much stress will be under in the first year from Ryan's job, all sorts of things that await us in Michigan....and the most we can do is talk about it now....until the move happens and we figure it out as we go. That is why I'm ready to move.

Also, I heard the sunsets are breath-taking overlooking Lake Michigan....

Can you tell who's is who's?? =)

4 little bun buns

In the recent holiday bliss, my bro, my sis, and my hubby and I experienced something quite entertaining. My mother decided it would be a great idea to have ourselves a friendly drawing contest (something my siblings and I have done many, many times in the past)....with egg shaped sidewalk chalk....outside her apartment. We were to draw ourselves an Easter Bunny, and we had 3 minutes to complete our works of art. It was actually pretty fun...although a bit chilly outside, but we laughed and took some pics with Erin's camera. Hopefully she will send those to me so I can do a little post action and show my loyal readers what fun we had. We have an international panel of judges, Josh and Evan, who will decide who the victor is. !!

I hope time was well spent with family and look forward to hearing (or reading) about weekends of food, fun, family, and candy. =)

Clear as Mud

Just for the readers that we have....the recent post that was titled working, or something, was written by Ryan. So those of you relatives that might mistake me, Martha, for some wise talkin learnin readin foo, it was my hubby (he's not fat). But we, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas, decided to swipe the 'labels' idea from the Martins, so for future reading...there shouldn't be any further confusion. Thanks for your time. =) Good night and Good Luck.

Follow up....

Well, I made it. No one at work knew i got my hair cut. Perfect. It was a success. Mike, one of my few friends here, asked me about the whole ordeal...which i wanted to start saying all these things about it that I didn't like...but it's Mike. He's a guy. Solid man of Christ. but for some reason, all that came out after a serious of thinking faces and hmms....was 'i don't know why I care so much'... and he said 'well I think it looks great!' Ry was in here too and he liked it...so what's the big deal?!

How do people pick things to be absolutely anal about? I know people who couldn't give a rats what I do to their hair. And some people would never be caught dead in an 84 sky blue Honda civic. Weird. And then when you talk to someone who doesn't share that same obsession, suddenly you realize that maybe it's not that big of a deal. And I am left with a haircut that I can decide is exactly what I wanted, and not blow it out of proportion knowing that it's not permanent, I will have to go through the same thing in a few months....

Conclusion: successful hair experience. Thank you Carrie.

12:30 appointment!

I cannot come close to describing the way i feel right now. In about an hour, I have a hair cut appointment...for myself. I know, holy crap. In the history of my hair (after the age when I started caring), I have probably let about 3 different people at it...and then I usually end up fixing it myself for some reason or another. I mean really, who doesn't take the scissors to their own hair. But this particular woman, Carrie, I have been studying her for the last 3ish months...she is a regular here at the bank....and more occasions than not she has had a good looking hairdo. This tells me that she knows how to work with hair, including her own, which is a different kind of talent. We have also had numerous conversations about hair cutting itself, and I have concluded that her combo of knowledge, experience in the field (she's about 35), and her chill personality will provide a service for me that I can wear around for the next few months. Readers, pray that I will not be anxious, that I will let her use her gifts to bless me, and that I will truly appreciate what she will do for me that I cannot do for myself. I will be in her hands. haha. I will let you know how it turns out....

Working

I am currently reading a book, and these are some of the words from the chapter called Vocation:
"Work can be inspired and praiseworthy as well as vicious and numbing, but regardless of its effect, work is what the vast majority of us have to do much of the time and most of our lives. Some of our lives are enhanced and others depleted by work....These are the issues that we must ponder: Do the time and energy we spend working also enrich our lives?...We will find our work satisfying and meaningful not primarily because we enjoy it, are good at it, or become wealthy because of it, but because through it we can express and experience the abiding presence of God, a sense of connection and collaboration with others, and the realization that we are making a needed contribution...others can learn a lot about us by the approach we take to our work. A man who's seeking God in his work and relationships doesn't just go through the motions....God placed us here to work with purpose, integrity, excellence, and creativity. Work brings the presence of God closer and continues the work of God thorugh us. Our purpose is not to live long enough or work hard enough to some day retire. Work isn't a distraction, curse, or diversion from God, its His gift to us....Those who are wiser understand that the meaning of vocation runs deeper than a job, it involves listening for a calling voice that is intent on leading us to what is ours to do....Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent....My deepest calling is to be the person God created....The trick is to listen for the voice, to hear it, to believe it and to trust it long enoughto act on it....It's that easy, and it's that hard."
This is a brief summary of some of the points, I hope it is good food for thought.