All I Want for Christmas...

... is You!



I love that song. I don't love it too too much, but I'd put it in my Christmas (non spiritual) top 15. Maybe I am too free with what I say I "love" these days.



But there is a lot of love in my heart these days. There was a point in my life when I was depressed with no concept of love or what it was. The past several years have been a process of relearning how to evaluate myself and the things that matter to me. And the with past 3 or 4 years, each year is better than the last.

If you knew me before 2005ish, you'd understand what I'm talking about. It was hard for me to tell anyone I loved them back then. And I found little joy in much of anything, so I didn't really go around talking about how much I loved this or that. I guess that's what depression is; when you are too low to rise above the hurt and enjoy all that is good in your life.

I'm a lot better off today than I have ever been, regarding the condition of my heart. I hope it's true when I say I really am more capable of being a decent person and a good friend because of the trials I experienced in the past. Don't get me wrong, I still have issues. I mean Issues. But who doesn't? I almost love you more because of your issues, since it kind of makes me feel more normal. Here's one of mine, for example: I get paranoid that the person I'm talking to isn't just texting a friend, but that they're really texting their friend to call them so they won't have to talk to me. And other stuff like that pops up every now and then. Let's have issues together!

But really, let's not celebrate our issues. Let's be friends and help each other out.

It's tough living in a life which seems to be constantly changed. I feel like I don't have any roots yet b/c we've moved moved around a bit, and I'm at job # 3 or 4, depending on how you count. It can be tough to make new friends, since a lot of people I know already have their own lives sorted out, with their own family, and plenty of their own friends. But I still have all this love I want to share.

Presents are fun to get for Christmas, but as I get older, I'm realizing that holidays don't mean nothing unless you have someone to share them with. I wish there could be a perfect way to package up and wrap love and give it as a gift. That's what Christmas began as, right? As the gift of dear 8 pounds 6 ounces... new born infant Jesus, don't even know a word yet.

So thanks for being my friends. And know that I appreciate you and truly love you. Merry Christmas!

8 Things that warm my heart

For the third day in a row now, it's been cold in Corpus Christi. By cold, I mean less than 70D. But a cold front woke me up early Monday morning when in blew in, then it rained/drizzeled allllllll day yesterday, and it was brisk today. I am hearing rumors of snow in one ear, then warm from in the other ear. I'd be okay with it just staying the same 45-65 range till March.

I'm reminded of Hot Dr. Pepper with lemon rings from my childhood, and other tricks we'd use to stay warm during the frigid winters of west Texas. Then my mind is lead to think about the things that always seem to make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Here is a list of 8 things that warm my heart:

In no special order

1. The contrast of vibrant reds and blues when the sun sets on a kind-of cloudy day. I could sit and watch sunset after sunset. I don't know why but it captivates my attention like few things can.

2. Rest. Real rest, when all the housework and other chores are done. Sitting on the couch, leaning back, and taking a deep breath is always good. But it has a healing effect when you don't have to get right back up and do more work.

3. A good conversation. I've realized that my top love languages are quality time and words of affirmation. That's why I might hunt you down sometimes just to sit and talk with you for 3 minutes. I know I can be too talkative sometimes, but I truly enjoy listening to stories. I think staying connected to the people I interact with the most is a large priority in my life.

4. Worship and prayer. I guess it goes without saying, but when you are in the presence of God, you kind of melt. There is no greater thrill than hearing the voice of the Lord in your ear, and his breath on your face.

5. Babies. I used to not like babies. But when my sister had her first, my heart changed. Now, I kind of know what I'm missing, when I hold them and have special conversations with them, just looking eye to eye. I want my own baby, and look forward to holding him some day. (I say "him" because I think we are pretty much biologically guaranteed to have a boy.)

6. When a friend leans against me, touches my face, or plays with my hair. I think most girls like these things. It makes me feel like I'm loved, cherished, and appreciated. Who doesn't like to feel that way?

7. When I hear about people helping people. You hear so much negativity from the news, that it's rare when anything truly good is featured. I like to listen to Air 1 88.1 because most of the news is positive.

8. Pictures. I love to look through our old photos, and other people's too. Not even to enjoy a memory, but just to enjoy the faces and scenes. I feel closer to a person by seeing them in photos for some reason. My favorites are baby/childhood pics, and candid shots.

Other things that could have made the list, but were too obvious:
- My darling Ryan, when he is sweet and vulnerable.
- Food. Really good food and beverages.
- Helping someone accomplish an important goal.
- Crying or laughing with someone I love.

What warms your heart?

Top Ten favorite places I've visited

I am by no means a globe trotter, but I have had the good fortune to see a few places in my short life. These are some of the best places, which I'd highly encourage you to visit as well. In no particular order, unless otherwise stated:

1. Negril, Jamaica
We stayed at the RIU resort for a week on our honeymoon. Even though it was January, the days were hot, and the evenings cool. The water was clear and blue. We walked around in town a lot too, and made friends with the locals on the public beach next door.

2. White River, Ozarks in Arkansas
We spent our 2008 stimulus check on a vacation. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. The river was high and cold, we caught about 25 rainbow trout.

3. Orlando, Florida
I lived there in an apartment with 8 other girls for 11 weeks in the summer of 2004. Orlando is best experienced over a long period of time, and if you have lots of money. I worked for Universal Studios during the time, so I got to visit the parks for free.
I have also been to Disney a few times. Altogether, I like Orlando as a vacation spot.

4. Las Vegas
Ask me personally about these stories. Its not that they are all bad, there are just a lot of stories.

5. Aggieland, College Station, TX on Gameday
Gig Em, Aggies. A-WHOOOOOOP!
You need to go to at least one Aggie football game in your life to understand what I'm talking about.

6. New Orleans, LA
I was on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras in 2002, quite a circus. And walking around in the daytime is nice too. Go get some benyays at Cafe du Monde.

7. Monterrey, Mexico
I spent a week there on a mission trip in 2006. The view from the top of the mountain makes you feel like you're on top of the world. The town is very urban, and full of life. The people are very very sweet and lovely, especially Iglesia Gran Comicion.

8. Washington DC
I visited an old roommate during the 4th of July weekend. We sat by the reflecting pool and watched an hour long fireworks show. Then we went to the Smithsonian museums and zoo, rode the Metro all over town, saw a lot of memorials, and ended up seeing a drag concert at a bar. Only in DC.

9. London, UK
I went with my family in 1997 to visit some friends that had moved there. The city is crawling with people, but everyone seems cheery. We saw a lot of sites, the changing of the gaurd, a play by Oscar Wilde, and walked across Abbey Road.

10. Redding, California
I was only there for a few days, for a Taekwondo tournament. But I remember thinking that if I ever ran away, I would go there.

Places Not on the List:
- Branson, MO. It would have been better if the weather had been nicer.
- Pensecola, FL. I think I'd enjoy it better now as an adult, but I went as a teenager.
- NYC b/c I've never been there, but would like to.
- Colorado. I've only been there for 2 ski trips, so I didn't get the full experience.

What are your favorite places?

"Meet the Stanleys"

Sometimes we'll be sitting around having a conversation, but then it takes a weird turn and we end up saying some of the oddest stuff.

I'm sure you have found yourself in a conversation like that every now and then, realize it, and have a good laugh at yourself. But I'd be lying if I said it only rarely happens to us. For example, Ryan is walking around and talking in a falsetto voice making fun of me saying "My name's Reanna. And I write a blog. And tell people to read it..."

These are the moments that belong on our show. If a crew of cameras followed us around at all times, they would probably record enough usable material for a prime time 30 minute reality comedy called Meet the Stanleys. Not only just Ryan and I, but the crazy antics of our families would be recorded for your viewing enjoyment.

I wish I would have been recording all the gems we've decided should be on our show, from as far back as day one of our marriage, when we got a phone call from Delta airlines saying that the flight to our honeymoon in Jamaica was canceled. (Everything turned out fine in the end on that one.) The topic that made us realize that we might be sitting on a goldmine was when he asked me how much I'd have to be paid to eat the ash off of his cigar.

Just today, we had a handful of moments that would have been on the show. Ryan woke me up by talking in his sleep (more on that some other day), saying stuff about morning sickness and food poisoning. (I don't know what it means, he says it was a bad dream.) Then this afternoon, this conversation happens:

Ry- How long do you think you would live if you never took a bath?
Re- I don't know. A few years? I might have a lot of viruses all on me.
Ry- What if you never had a bath since you were born?
Re- Ewwwwwww! No, I don't think so. I'd still go swimming, and be in the rain.
Ry- Yeah, I guess so. But that is gross.

Then this evening, after deciding that we could get a puppy, Ryan tried to reneg and put a condition on it. "We can get a puppy If I can get a boat by the time I'm 31." I said No, you had your chance and you muffed it! After already spending a few hours online looking for/researching puppies, we then spent a little while longer looking for bass boats. But my condition was that however much the boat costs, we have to make ten times that much two years in a row.

Even just now, he's reading over my shoulder, making sure I'm using correct grammar and capitalization. Maybe this stuff isn't as funny or interesting to others as it is to us, but it keeps us entertained and tuned in for each new episode.

the silence

It's been over 4 hours since I've spoken a word (which is drawing nigh to some kind of record). I said "thanks" to the guy who swiped my ID card at the fitness center this afternoon. And I probably won't say anything for the rest of the night unless I get a phone call.

Ryan is in Austin this weekend for a Surveyor's convention. He went with his student group, and he's hoping to make some good contacts for the job hunt that will be looming soon. It's the biggest convention of surveyors in Texas for the year, and one of the biggest in the nation, so he went prepared with plenty of resumes and a new pair of nice slacks.

He's been gone since yesterday afternoon, and returns late tomorrow night. I don't like him being gone, and he doesn't like for me to be gone, but right now it's his turn. Two weeks ago I went to visit my sister in Fort Worth for several days, and now he is returning the favor. When I got home, he said he missed the noises I make, and the house had seemed too quiet. He got to enjoy his bachelorhood again though, and now I am kind of making the most of mine.

I ate carrots and celery with nuttela for dinner. This is otherwise a big no-no in our house. He likes real meals that are cooked, but I could go for weeks without a regular meal and not even notice. The house is on it's way to being super clean, no cups or clothes laying around. Dishes are drying, and the wash is in the agitate cycle. I'll be folding towels here shortly, while catching up on episodes of Glee.

And that's my life these days. It would be nice to have some girl friends to run around with, and talk with. But I guess right now, God wants me to survive through a period of silence. My closest friends live some hundreds of miles away, and we occasionally chit chat over the distance. Other friends are overwhelmed with family, school, and their own business. (Maybe that's become me too?) My intrinsic need for social interaction has gotten me in trouble at work for being a bit too chatty and wandering away from my desk after lunchtime. I'm feeling caught in a twilight zone of needing a friend, but knowing I'm probably not a good potential friend. I know I have a friend in Jesus, which is often what gets me though the day. But he knows I'd also like there to be someone in my life who would be a soul mate. Someone like me, who could understand, and who'd listen and talk with me. (I think Ryan gets tired of hearing me vent at him about him, and might appreciate this person as much as I do.) And he is such a good man to have as a best friend. But girls need girlfrinds, and guys need their guyfriends - to stay balanced.

It's a risk to say these things. But I think most people feel this way, at some time or another. And I know it takes effort to have friends. But sometimes you get blessed with a friend who is just a perfect match. I know, because I've had one or two, and those were some of the best days. I hope they are coming again soon. In the mean time, I contemplate my issues with needing attention, and struggle to adjust to this new season of hectic stillness.

Working for the Weekend

I like to remember a story my sister's friend Sara told about my sister, a few days before her wedding in June of 2005. She was thinking out loud and going through the list of all the things that needed to be done, and at the end she said "so I'm thinking that right now, we should lay out." It's funny because there was so much to be done, and the first order of business would be to relax. B/c if they didn't do it then, and went straight to work, they'd lose that chance altogether.

I'm feeling that way right now. Ryan's family is coming to visit today. I am sure it will be the largest number of people ever to occupy this house for a full 24 hours. That means 8 people will be sharing the one bathroom, two bedrooms, and the scant amount of food. Belva and Robin haven't seen the house since we bought it and started doing renovations, so I hope they are impressed with our cute little humble house.

As I sit here, there are dishes to be washed, a load of towels in the washer, sheets in the dryer, and two loads of clothes to be done. The floors need to be swept, the counter tops wiped, and the bathroom scrubbed. I just went through all of this 2 weekends ago when David and Kara came to visit. It seems like every time we have company, our house gets a little bit nicer. We finally removed the nasty rust stains in the sink and bathtub, and replaced the rotten broken handles in the bathtub with new ones. The ceilings are finished and white. Now if we can just get the outside painted, and give the walls another once-over, our house would be pretty darn nice.

The chances of that happening soon, though, are slim. This is Ryan's toughest semester. If he can survive it, he'll be pretty much graduated b/c next semester will be a breeze. And my spare time has been drastically reduced now that I have a J-O-B. That's right! Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi finally realized that I was the one they wanted. I am working in the Office of the Registrar, as an Admissions and Records Specialist II. I process transcript requests, verifications of enrollment, degree verifications, diploma's for each graduation, and help students find out various types of information that they need. It is super high paced, and pretty low stress. The ladies and students I work with are so sweet and fun. I love my job. I love having a job.

I love being on campus. I love getting to ride together and eat lunch with Ryan sometimes. I love getting to use the fitness center (Ryan likes that too). I love getting to help and work with college kids. I love that I will have benefits soon. I feel like what I'm doing is important, and that makes me feel good. The only drawback is the eye fatigue from using a computer all day. And although I don't get paid as much as I did as a teacher, we are okay with that. I am only starting out, and everyone starts somewhere. There is plenty of room for advancement, and if I want it, I will have it in due time. Teaching was a good experience, and I do enjoy teaching. But I think this might be a better fit for me - doing something professional and working with college kids.

Thusly, I stay pretty busy all day long during the week. I try to get as much housework done during the week as I can, so I can relax on the weekend. Alas, it still piles up somehow. So, enough relaxing for now. It's time get the house clean.

What Comes Next

We bought our house in November of 2007. It was exactly 50 years old, and only had one owner up until that time. The original owners lived here until passing away, and we acquired their home in an estate sale. It had never received any type of remodeling in those 50 years, except a few extra layers of paint and 4 extra layers of laminate flooring in the kitchen. We have had our work cut out since day one.

During the first few months of ownership, we still lived in an apartment, but took that time to do some remodeling. Ryan and his family did a lot to revive this old house. In 1957, it probably cost $5000 to build the house. After all is said and done, that is probably how much we will spend to modernize it. A new wall and windows in the dining room. New floor in the kitchen. New light fixtures and fans. A new window unit in the living room and bedroom. New siding in the front. New medicine cabinet and window in the bathroom (besides a new toilet, sink faucet, and bathtub handles). Fresh paint inside and out. Clearing out the forest in the back yard. And so on and so forth.

Many, but not all of the above improvements have happened yet. We are currently beginning round 2 in the remodel. Eventually, we are hoping to turn this old trashed, musty, and forgettable house into the nicest one on the block. And then what comes next? There are plenty of factors to consider when devising the plan. The economy, the market, location of jobs, graduation, and the good Lord's will. Of course, we have goals which we are working towards. But it feels more realistic to set reachable goals for ourselves. Such as "finish painting the ceilings," and "go to class and do homework." Finishing the house is definitely a goal, but not a means to an end. Who knows, maybe we will end up living here for another 20 years? Or maybe we will sell it before the paint is dry. I just hope our efforts will be appreciated and enjoyed.

There are many things that I want. And I am blessed to say that I have most of them. Purpose, joy, family, love. I feel quite satisfied with life. But I also feel a certain gnawing inside of me. I feel like it is the same thing that keeps all people going. Existing can be tough, but to truly live is a challenge. Most people mistake this as a need for something more. But I feel like it is a greater awareness of reality and self, and the response to go "further up and further in" (as CS Lewis puts it). I don't work to fill any deficiencies. I'm not saying I have no deficiencies, though. But I contend for what I can attain as mine, by giving all that I already have.

I don't know if I'm ready for what's coming. I know we have a plan. But I also know that time reveals whether that plan was meant to be or not. So I will set myself to do what I can do, setting and achieving goals. Taking care of what needs to be taken care of. And just take each new day as they come.

Changing the Seasons

It's been about 60 days straight with temperatures in Austin above (the majority) or near 100 degrees. I gotta say it's been a hot one!

Tomorrow will be a busy day for us. It will be Ryan's last day at his internship. We are going to load up and check out of this Extended Stay Hotel. And we'll be driving to a retreat/intensive planning time near Freeport. Then, finally, on either Sunday or Monday, we'll be heading back to Corpus Christi to re-start our lives there.

Ryan won't be starting school until Monday the 24th, so he'll have about a week to relax and play Call of Duty, among other things. And I hope to be getting real busy with a new job (details on that later, as they pan out). Then we'll spend the next two semesters trying to get the house looking good enough to get rid of, getting Ryan graduated, and getting myself a decent method of income.

I'll miss the house. Since moving off to college in 2000, I haven't stayed at one address as long as I've been at the house. Then again, we have been living away from home during these past two summers. So the longest I've actually resided there is from last August till this May, 10 months. Which is second in length to living in an apartment with Kara and Krista just 8 days shy of one full year. I guess I get around.

I've gotten used to the constant packing and unpacking, making new friends, trying to keep up with old ones, and driving around to explore the new terrain. When people ask where I'm from, I just say "all over". I've lived in West Texas, the Houston area, Bryan/College Station, Corpus Christi, Orlando (random, I know), and now Austin. By this time next year, I'll probably be living in San Marcos. With all the moving around, I am ready to settle down some day. I don't know if it will ever happen, so my heart is not too desperate.

I know that as time goes by, people come and go, including me. I love the people that have been a part of my life, and I have loved being in others' lives. That's what it's all about, the people. Not the towns or the jobs. Life is knowing and being known.

This place has become my home during this chapter of life. And now it is time to move away from here, but not from the memories and friendships.

The Shrewd Servant

I don't read much. This could cause a problem in my spiritual life, since reading the Bible is so key to having a relationship with God. Some people like to think of it as "letters from God", or reading a manuscript of what he wants to say to me. I don't know if it's because I live in the era of technology, or what, but I am not usually spending my free time reading. I'm usually doing something on the computer if I have free time.

But I absolutely love www.biblegateway.com. Whenever I do read the Bible, it is often from this website. I love how you can easily switch around the different versions of the same passages, and get a more full understanding of what's being said. And to top it all off, they have Audio Bibles. I can't tell you how many hours of NASB I've listened to. This is what I've found to be my surrogate for reading. In fact, it works better for me to hear it instead of reading because I am a visual person. If I am reading, I focus too much on what the words look like on the page, and where they are positioned on the page. Whatever I remember from my reading is most often connected to what I remember of the visual imprint in my mind.

When I listen, though, it allows my mind to imagine the scene, and absorb more of the story because I can "watch" what is happening. Today, I was listening to Luke, and came to chapter 16, the parable of the shrewd servant. I have never fully understood what it was about until this morning. It's about a wealthy man's business manager who is taking advantage and charging things for himself to the boss. So he gets fired, and has to give a full audit. While auditing the accounts, he calls the guys who owe the boss, and reduces their debt so that they will like him and might give him a job. But the boss is impressed that he was able to take care of himself, and praised him.

I feel like I understand this first part of the parable. But then Jesus says some stuff that I didn't get for the longest time. The NASB scripture says (v8 & 9) "for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light. And I say unto you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings." What?

I had to listen to that line a few times. Those words don't make much sense to me. So I switched the version to the Message, Amplified, and then back to NASB. I even looked it up in my lexicon. Finally, the truth was emerging. I think that Jesus was saying is that streetwise people are more able to take care of themselves, win friends, and enjoy life than people who are stuffy, legalistic, and self-righteous. And that we should be cunning like them, and win friends by doing favors and giving them gifts instead of cramming rules and shame down their throats.

I know about rules and shame. I know that it made me depressed. And I know about gifts and favors, too. I don't know how many times I've enjoyed good food at a homegroup time, or gotten a ride when I needed one, or been given a gift, or been forgiven, or been loaned some cash. I am grateful for the goodness in all of those people's hearts. I want to keep this principle in my heart, and be more giving. I feel like I do ok at giving to friends, but I want to do better at giving to strangers, people I don't like, and people who some would say are "bad".

I don't think I want to go as far as witnessing to someone and then giving them a $10 bill. But maybe that kind of extreme surprise would win them over? Mostly, I want to be more willing and able to share the good news, as well as be less stingy about giving money/stuff. I want to be more aware of what it truly valuable.

The Austin Experience

We've been here in Austin since June 1, and will leave August 13. Altogether, our time here has felt like it's gone by quickly but some days and weeks seem to drag on and on while they are being endured. Ten weeks doesn't sound all that long, but when you say "a whole summer" it seems a bit more substantial.

I like it here. I like the hills, and I like green-ness. I like all the places to eat, and I like all the places where you can do entertaining things. At first, I liked our 10x10 hotel room, but not so much anymore. I'll be ready to get back to the house. 990 square feet may not sound like a big house to you, but after living in a hotel room for 10 weeks, it sounds like a mansion to me.

As long as we are here, I've told Ryan I want the full Austin Experience. I know one summer isn't enough to cover it all, but I feel like we've/I've enjoyed most of the highlights of all this town has to offer. So far,

-we've jogged around Town Lake
-we've been to Barton Springs (but didn't swim)
-we've gone to the Texas History Museum
-we've seen a movie and ate at the Alamo Draft House
-we've seen a band play on 6th street (and saw Leslie selling flowers out there, too)
-we've watched the bats fly out from under the Congress Bridge at dusk
-we've cruised South Congress and the Drag
-we've eaten at the Pizza Garden and at a handful of other local flavors
-we've enjoyed $4 coffee from an $11,000 machine at JP's Java
-we've ridden bikes on the Green-belt
-we've eaten well at Kirby Lane Cafe
-we've hung out at a park
-we've read a few issues of the Onion
-I've hung out at the Spider House cafe
-I've enjoyed Amy's Ice Cream
-I've given a street guy some water

3 years (and two days) ago, on July 26 2006, Ryan proposed to me in Austin. We went to lake Travis that day and went scuba diving, then ate lunch at the Oasis, went to the Capitol building, ate dinner, then saw some live music, and drove home to College Station that night. I feel like I've gotten most of the Austin Experience to date. There are still some other things I'd like to do before leaving. Such as...

- kayaking on Town Lake
- go the the art museums
- spot Owen Wilson and/or Sandra Bullock
- eat a Thundercloud sub
- get a tattoo? (not really)
- anything else fun and cheap

I must say that I wasn't looking forward to living here at first. I miss my friends in Corpus, and I miss our little house, too. But now that it's almost over, I am really appreciating my time here. I will miss being so close to other little towns too, like New Braunfels and San Marcos. I will miss the random thunderstorms that knock out the dish TV. I will miss the breathtaking sunsets. I will miss hanging out with Krista. I will miss free wifi being everywhere. I will miss the earthy culture. I will miss the live music. I will miss the parks. And, maybe, there's a small chance I will even miss this hotel room.

Maybe I won't get the FULL experience of all there is to enjoy in Austin. But I am very pleased with the fullness of memories we've made during our short residence here.

How to be Poor and Survive a Recession

I've been thinking a lot lately about what we, the Stanley's and we as a nation, need to do to survive during these uncertain and volatile economic times. Over the past few days, I feel like I've stumbled upon some really great guidelines that everyone can follow.

Ryan and I have already implemented a few of them. Some of them don't apply to us. But between Oprah and O'Reily, I've gleaned several tactics that will be useful in part if not in whole, to the vast majority out there. If you're nosey, look for the stars* to see which rules apply to us.

- Dining out is no longer a luxury, it's a lifestyle. The average American eats 1 in 5 meals away from home, or 4-5 meals per week. Solution: Alternate weeks when you are allowed to dine out, and during that week, only allow 1 or 2 meals. On the off week, enjoy every meal at home, or take your lunch with you. Doing this will be most people's greatest challenge.*

- If you go to the movies very often, try to knock it back to only once a month. Get a Netflix account, or go to the dollar show if you feel the urge.* (My parents gave us a 1-year Netflix account for Christmas. You should ask for something like that as a gift if you love movies.)

- Stop/reduce all other expenses on entertainment. You don't really need to go to that concert, or pay to get into that club, or go bowling, or go to the fair, or go to Sea World, or whatever it is that you do that costs money. If you are bored and want something to do, look at the next item.*

- Get out of the house and go for a walk, go for a bike ride, or go to a free live event. The trick is to leave your money at home. I like to go non-shopping, which is just walking around in nice stores like Best Buy or World Market, and just look at stuff. You can also go to a book store to browse and read. But don't take any money, or you just might buy something.*

- Do free stuff, like go to the public lake* or pool. Take your laptop somewhere that has free wi-fi.* Get online and find out when/where bands are doing free shows.* Go hang out at a friend's house and play Catch Phrase.* Start using that exercise gear sitting in the garage.* Play those games that are in the closet. Learn a new language. Make a home video. Play cards. Clean out the fridge.* Volunteer. Play with your dog. Take digital photos and edit them on the computer.

- If it is not life threatening, put it off. If you don't have insurance, then forgo those pricey doctor/dentist visits.* Get a trustworthy friend to tell you if that "Maint Req" light means anything, and drive 5000 miles per oil change.* Wait till next year to go on that expensive vacation.*

- Do it yourself. From weddings to home repairs*, you ARE capable of doing the majority of the work needed. For the rest of what you aren't able to do, you have friends and family.*

- If your stuff breaks or you need something that you don't already have, borrow stuff from friends. This is very difficult for some people, when it comes to vehicles and personal computers.

- If you absolutely have to spend money for something, or for a service, shop around for the best bargain. This means calling around, or actually visiting several places before making a decision.*

- Buy used stuff at a discount, such as tires, other auto parts, cell phones*, computers*, appliances, clothes, toys, etc. (DO NOT buy used shoes or mattresses.) If you are poor, and barely making it, you don't really need that iPhone 3G just because your renewal is coming up.

- Reduce regular bills. Cancel the cable, home phone*, and data plan. Lower your monthly minutes* and quit texting. Try to wear your day clothes more than just once*, take shorter showers, and reuse your bath towel a few times to cut down on laundry*. Only water the lawn half as much. Keep the fridge closed, computers off at night, and the lights off.* Turn your A/C to 85 when you leave the house for the day.*
FREEBIE: Minimize your car insurance to just liability.* Switch over to Bennie Camp (http://www.bencampinsurance.com/) and save on auto, home, health, and life insurance.*

- Quit living off of credit, and try to live on a budget your income can support. Most adults have 4-12 credit cards. This sounds crazy, and beyond all reasonable understanding to me. While it is wise to have one card* on standby for extreme emergencies, it's best not to use credit at all, or only if you can pay it off each month. Try consolidating your debt with balance transfers with 0% interest for 12+ months, and only pay the minimum. Dave Ramsey says "Sell your new car to end those high monthly payments and buy an older used car with cash." *

- If your mortgage or rent is too high, consider getting a roommate. Share your room, or rent out that extra guest room to a friend. Be totally sure everyone else you live with is okay with it.

And the #1 thing you can do to survive if you are poor...

- QUIT BUYING CRAP!* You are poor, and this is probably why. Though we may live in the land of plenty, having everything you want is not a human right. Even if you work hard, and you probably deserve to treat yourself to something nice, that doesn't mean you should. You don't NEED that fancy haircut and highlights. You don't NEED to take your girl on an expensive date every single time. You don't need Another pair of shoes. Not right now, at least. Not while your other 14 pairs of shoes are still fine.

There is no shame in being poor if you are being responsible and truly doing your best. Being broke, on the other hand, is not cool. The goal is to make it through the poor-ness with dignity and grace. There is so much you can do to improve your situation, just by exercising DISCIPLINE and SELF CONTROL. Be proud of who you are, and thankful for what you have. No one owes you anything, and you are the best/sometimes only person who can help you. Don't be unhappy because others may have more or nicer things. (No matter how much you have, there will always be someone with more.) Be glad that you are able to take care of yourself and your family.

- The best thing you can do for yourself, whether you have little or plenty, is to have a spiritual compass.* Everyone has to believe in something greater than themselves, and lives by some set of good standards. Personally, I follow Jesus and the principals set out by God in the Bible. Without any instruction for living and behaving (financially, morally) properly, we are all in a mess. I am thankful to have a go-to for wisdom, direction, correction, and comfort at all times. If you feel like you are unsure about the direction your life is heading, I would love to talk with you about why I have such confidence in the hope I have in Jesus. I don't have it all figured out, and I am far from perfect. But I am certain that my life is much better now than before I knew him. I know I'm going to be just fine, and I know it's because he is taking care of me, offering wisdom and peace.

Bill's no-spin Zone

Ryan: Reanna, why is the economy so baaaaad!?

Reanna: Some bad people took a lot of money from a lot of good people. And the law is not doing what it should do by taking the money back from the bad people and giving it back to the good people. That's what's going on. The end.


The TV is playing Bill O'Reily right now. He calls it the "No Spin Zone", but in fact, he makes my head spin as much as he spins the issues. An expert arguer, and passionate self-defender, Bill is always on the attack and ready to offend. Well Mr. O'Reily, I AM OFFENDED, sir!

I don't like the way he belittles others who feel just as strongly about their own ideals as he feel about his own. I don't like how he cuts people off in interviews, keeping them from making their points. He is a disrespectful man, and an extreme ego-maniac. On his show tonight, he slandered the liberal press for championing leftish ideology, instead of covering the stories as they are.

I would love to see, just once, an entire show where O'-O'-O'-O'Reily* resists the habit of creating uber-conservative-liberal-smearing spins on stories and just presents the news with thoughtful commentary. He might take a lesson from the quiet Anderson Cooper, and actually allow his guests to finish a sentence. Or even just a complete thought.

But for him to emulate Coop in any way would never happen, mostly because Bill is anti-non-gay-haters. Altogether, I would rather endure a grueling episode with Oh, No Mr. Bill!* than watch the Situation Room, hosted by the man with every 8 year-old-boy's dream name: Wolf Blitzer. Perhaps it provides an excuse for missing a daily workout. Or maybe it is self-punishment for over indulging at dinner.

There are a lot of people who Absolutely Love The Factor. Ryan thinks he's entertaining, in a kind-of-a-jerk way. Ryan also thinks I'm also secretly a liberal, because of how I express my opinions on issues. Gosh. If not wanting to identify myself with an angry, over-glorified, news man... then call me Wolf. I must admit, Fox News is a bit more stimulating/less mind numbing than HLN and CNN, and sometimes, O'Reily can even be funny. I will say I like Hannity and Bair.

And I still like Sarah Palin.


*an O'Reilyesque method of making fun of somebody by messing with their names. how do you like that, bill.

Toca la Guitarra

I received a phone call at 10pm a few nights ago. It was the front desk of the hotel we are staying at for the summer. She said someone had called in a noise complaint and wanted me to be quiet. Ryan was working out of town, so I had been playing my guitar for a few hours (as if no one was listening), and didn't realize what time it was.

When I was about 10, my dad wanted to teach me how to play the guitar. Well, probably I wanted him to teach me because I often saw him playing his guitar, and wanted to know how to make music too. My hands were too small and soft to learn guitar at that age, so I started learning how to play the violin. I played in the school orchestra until age 14.

Then at 16, something came over me, and I started learning the guitar again. A friend taught me 3 chords, my dad taught me 3 more, and I was off. The music and rhythm came easy because of those years playing violin. But the skill... took about 4 years to develop.

I started out with my dad's first guitar. His mom got it for him when he was 15, I think. An old, simple Epiphone. After struggling on that for a few years, I asked for a new guitar of my own, and got a nice cut-away Seagull for my 19th birthday. It took a long time to get used to the wide neck and super high action (it's hard to push the strings down), but it was worth it. It is warm, loud, and bassy, and still the guitar I play. I've taken it to Mexico, Orlando, all over Texas, and probably other places. But, almost a decade old, he is starting to show his age.

this is a fancier/new version of what i have: http://www.seagullguitars.com/productartistmosaiccw.htm

I've wanted a Taylor for years now. But they are so expensive, I don't know if it will ever happen. Every now and then, I look at prices online, or go to Guitar Center to pick one up. I recently went over to Guitar Center to see if I could find one in my range - cost-wise and skill-wise. But there was another guy in there (the humidor room) who was playing away pretty well, so I got nervous and just looked around.

this is the kind of Taylor that i'd like: http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Acoustic-Electric/700/710ce/ or the 510ce.

I was hoping he'd leave, but no. In fact, other guys came in and were trying out their skills on the display guitars. After 30 minutes of this, I had to leave. I wanted to enjoy my dream of playing a Taylor in peace, not in company. I'm more free to be loud and silly or anything I want when no one else is around, like that night in my hotel room. I suppose for now, I'll stick to my own faithful Seagull and play as I want, up until 7pm from now on.

Summertiiiiime, summertime

We heard on the local news last night that there was a heat advisory lasting through the night and all day today. While we were driving home from seeing a movie at 9:45pm, I saw a sign with the temperature reading 94 degrees. It didn't feel that hot, but I can't say that felt anywhere close to cool. The highs this week have been around 104-107ish. It's so great for Ryan that he's working in the office this and next week.


He had last Friday off, for the holiday. So on Thursday night we went down to Corpus to check on the house, and to get the mountain bikes. There are a lot of neat trails out here, and after spending 2 years on flat, sandy terrain in Corpus Christi, it will be nice to get to go mountain biking again. It's good that we checked on the house, as there was a rotten bag of potatoes on the floor. I scrubbed and bleached it, so hopefully, there won't be too bad of damage to the floor. We got to eat with the Bowmans and celebrated their baby girl's 1 year birthday. It's always good to get to spend time with the Bowmans.

Then it was off to Houston on Friday morning. We met up with the Stanley family and went to Lake Houston to go tubing (like skiing, but on a tube). The next day was the 4th, so we enjoyed it at uncle Terry's house. I am glad my parents got to come. It's been exactly a year since they've seen the Stanleys, since last year's 4th of July party. Before leaving town, my parents wanted to have lunch with us at the Red Onion. I HIGHLY RECCOMMEND THE Red Onion.

After the colorful and yummy lunch at the Red Onion, I wanted to try my hand at cooking something colorful and yummy, too. For dessert, we had little ice cream fudge pops. They are the only way to cool down sometimes. I think fudge pops should be a part of every meal during the summer. And they make and excellent night time snack too.

It's going to be a record-breaking hot summer. I think we'll be okay if we keep to mountain biking until after 6pm. And if we keep our freezer stocked with fudge pops.

i have a guest blogger

my friend and former roommate, krista, lives in austin. i am currently chilling at her pad right now. there's a pizza in the oven, and she is making "faux-hitos". i just made that up. its lime seltzer with real lime wedges and mint leaves. mmmm. i've asked her to be my guest blogger tonight.

Dear Mother Nature,

In general, water retention is a valuable property. Farmers delight in damp soil. Cute little cumulus clouds are water-saturated. Watery watermelons are the delight of the summer. Cakes should be moist. Fruit should be juicy. Swimming pools without water lose their swim. Lake Travis is a pitiful sight this summer because it has no water. However, every thirty or so days when my body decides to retain water, I really do not appreciate it. My legs plump and begin to fill my pants like sausages. Shirts begin to take on the appearance of shrouding a swollen Buddha belly, and my ring gets stuck on my inflated fingers.

Typically I delight in your bounty: verdant plants, tasty veggies, and good 'ol sunshine, but today I curse you and the four horsemen of the Apocalypse you rode in on! You can keep your cyclical bloating, red tides, pestilence, and cranky moods! In a short while I'm sure I'll be back to singing your praises along with the birds of the air and the beasts of the field, but for now Mother Nature, you're just not so swell.

Love,
Krista

In College Station

Ryan got a phone call last Friday afternoon. He shot me a glace and I knew that he was being asked to go out of town all week for work. When he got off the phone, and was about to speak, I said "I'm going to College Station." Then he said, "Well, that's where they're sending me to work!" I thought it was pretty great.

It turns out that we were able to spend a little bit of time together while he was here, which was dinner and time with friends on Monday night. But then last night, they had to leave to go work in Huntsville for the rest of the week. I'll see him again on Friday when they pass back through on the way to Austin.

His job is kind of crazy. They usually get to the office by 6:45am, then work at least till 4:30pm. A normal day is 9 or more hours. BUT when people are sent out of town, they work 11 or more hour days. For this trip, they left Austin at 5pm on Sunday, and got straight to work in College Station, until 5am. Then they slept from 6 to 11am, and worked again till 5pm. All together, he got something like 20 hours in for Monday. They were doing stuff like painting lines on the road (with help from local police to keep them safe from drivers), clearing paths in 5 acres of brush, and surveying all of those 5 acres. Those extensive hours are not normal, but that type of work is. He should end up with about 60 hours by the end of this week.

It really helps us that he gets paid overtime. We are saving up to get my car worked on, and to pay off his school fees for this summer. I know we are so blessed that he got this internship, and hope it will be offered to him as a job next May. Now, all we need is for me to get a decent job, and we'll be doing well. As it is, we are making it, but if we were both employed well, things would be quite easier.

Please pray for me. My dream job is to be an academic advisor, and I've applied for a position at A&M-CC. Pray for favor, and that no one else will apply for it (just kidding, kind of). Being unemployed has been a challenge. It was fun at first, now it's down right frustrating. I've sent several applications and resumes, had a handful of interviews, but haven't been taken. All I can do is keep trying and trusting the Lord knows what he's doing.

But this week, I appreciate being able to visit old friends for a full week, on a whim.

I like Food

If you haven't noticed, I talk about food a lot on this page. I have used the term "foodie" about some other friends who's opinion of food I usually admire. My old roommates Kara and Krista, for example, are foodies. I think I just realized that one of the reasons we all got along pretty well is that, perhaps we all are foodies.

I suppose there are several hallmarks that cause one to stand out in my mind as a fellow appreciator of food. One of the strongest characteristics is a desire to try new things. Throughout my years, I've had many roommates and friends with ethnic backgrounds different from my own. I owe a great deal of thanks to these people for cooking and sharing their favorite dishes with me, and for taking me to various restaraunts I otherwise wouldn't have tried. So, I am aware that not all food from every culture is esspecially great, but at least every culture has some great food, all of which I am happy to experience.

Among the subtlties that constitutes great/good food are presentation and ease of reproduction. For example, I'd say that the Tuscan potatoes from Olive Garden are both quite tastey (when done properly), look appealing, and are easy to make at home for much less than going to a restaraunt. Making a perfect Thai stir fry is more difficult for me, mostly because I don't have all the special pans and skills like they have at the restaraunts. And when I do try to make it at home, its usually tastey, but ugly. Alas, if I want excellent Thai food, I must go to Madame Mam's.

Ryan usually likes most foods. But his "like" of food is different from mine. He likes to eat food. And if it tastes really good, he'll ask for more. I eat food when I'm hungry, too. But my "like" of food is in the task of tasting. I've been known to over-eat if it is just so yummy and there is more in front of me.

One hiccup I run into, however, is the harsh reality of not being able to afford the nicer things all the time. That's the trouble with enjoying great food: it can be expensive. But do not be mistaken and think that I am a food snob. By no means. I will rarely turn any food away, unless I have already tried it and know it is not what I like. The excitement of tasting new things along with old favorites is in the risk of being either dissappointed or extremely pleased.

I guess what it boils down to is this: you can trust a foodie when they say there's going to be good food.

Back from outter space

So, I decided to try to keep this from being the most boring blog in the world. I think I am going to give it another shot at being consistant and informative.

As of June 1, Ryan and I live in a hotel room in SW Austin, TX. He got a summer internship with a surveying company called SAM, Inc. He mostly likes it, and is learning a lot and getting good training. The plan is that he will continue working for them when he finishes school next summer.

In our little hotel room, we do have a kitchenette, with a 2 burner stove top, microwave, fridge, and sink. I am able to cook well enough, but sometimes I just need an oven. And wouldn't you know it, there is no oven in this place. I've begun my experiments with oven-type cooking on the stove.

We have found a really good pizzaria down the street called the PIZZA GARDEN, where they make gormet type pizzas and salads. We've gone there 2wice in the past 2 weeks, so you must know it's pretty good then. On our first visit, we ordered the Nyce Bryce, which has pizza sauce, pepperonis, garlic, basil leaves, and feta cheese. Thats it. And that is really all it needs.

So I tried to re-create this delicious pizza at home. On the stove. I used some tortilla-type flat bread, sauce, feta, garlic, (no basil), turkey pepperonis, and added black olive slices, quartered artichokes, and mushroom slices. It was, eh, alright. We decided that next time, I'll leave out the extra stuff and stick to the basics. The canned artichoke really covered up the flavor of the rest of it all. And I had to cook the garlic in oil, instead of roasting it in the oven. So we missed out on a lot of that yummy garlic flavor that really makes the pizza as good as it is.

Then, I tried to make a kind of fancy salad, a type of Mediteranian Greek Spinach salad. But the salad was a little old and wilted, so Ryan said it should be a Wilted spinach salad. What a GOOD idea. It turned out pretty good. I used slightly cooked spinach, tomato, carrot, cucumber, kalamata olives, feta cheese, artichoke quarters, and pepperoni slices.

In the end, we ate about half the salad, and half of the pizzas (I made 4). Ryan took the leftover pizza to work for lunch, and I ate the left over salad for lunch.

For my next trick, I'll attempt a type of casserole, and perhaps corn bread. But for dinner tonight, I'm planning to pan grill mixed squash, shrimp, rice, and probably throw in some Screamin Dill Pickle Pringles for good measure.


This part is a reminder for me to write about things in the future: Inks Lake camping trip, all the babies everyone is having, my dreams, Mexico, henna, being married, Austin, Corpus Christi, San Marcos, being unemployed, using a laptop, my guitar, ex-box 360, cell phones.

2-16 Happy Valentines!

How was your Valentines Day?
On Saturday, we slept in, snacked through the morning, did yard work in the afternoon, went to Johnny Carinos for dinner, then came home and watched a movie and drank some wine. While we were waiting for our table, I reminded Ryan of my favorite Valentine of all time. It was the time he took me to the park and had a picnic dinner set out for us. The food was in warming dishes with the little burner underneath, and there were nice dishes set out.
He picked me up that evening and said he wanted to go for a walk at the park before we went to dinner. We were walking up a small hill at Research Park, and I saw this amazing picnic set out, but I didn't realize it was for us. I said "Look! Someone is going to have a Valentines picnic, how sweet!" Then as we kept walking towards it, it dawned on me that it was for us. Even more sweet. We had a fabulous dinner and watched the sky turn dark, then cuddled and whispered I love yous. It was my first Valentine date in all my life, and it is my favorite so far. But as romantic as Ryan can be, I'm sure he'll come up with something even more amazing when the time is right.

1-31 it's been a while, huh?

Hello everyone,
I finally remembered that I have a little blog here, and I need to give an update. Currently, I still am waiting for a job to land in my lap. And Ryan is enjoying his classes at A&MCC, where he has another 3 semesters including this one.
We really enjoyed our Christmas break. We got to spend a lot of time with family and friends. One little guy I was excited to see is Jonas. He was 3 months old the last time I saw him, and now he is 10 months old. He's practically a small child by now! It was good to see his parents, too. What up Floods!

Things are starting to get busy again. Ryan and I are pumped about being in the young marrieds small group at the church. We get along pretty well with the other couples, and we look forward to building a real community with them over the next few months.

The mission trips are picking back up again, too. I'll be going to Matamoros again next weekend. We'll be ministering to the village people who live at the dump, and at the orphanage. There is a great expectation for wonderful things to happen in the team and there in Matamoros. Ryan may be coming as well. I hope he can. It will be our first mission trip together.