Busy as a Bee.....

Today was a crazy day.  I couldn't possibly have fit more into today.  I'm hanging out at home with Pedro (who just snapped at me - BAD DOG) and watching TV. I really need to get on the treadmill, I rode the bike today but only did a short workout, so I was hoping I could get on the treadmill but I'm exhausted. What I'm thinking is that although I'm dressed to run, I'm going to jump into bed and hit the sack early.  I have to be in Donaldsonville for about 8:30 in the morning to teach children's church (I'm actually nervous) so I need to be up and at 'em around 7am...that is going to come early.

I still have to write about my awesome run the other day and the song "What Do I Know of Holy" by Addison Road.  It came on while I was running and caused me to really think about things while actually running.  Perhaps I'll do that tomorrow.

Disappointed in myself....

Yesterday afternoon I ran the best I have since I started "running" again.  3.18 miles in about 28 minutes or so.  I felt great.  This afternoon I was determined to bike at least 7.  My workout consisted of the following:  speed cleaning my condo (someone is coming to look at it tomorrow PRAISE GOD!), ran to Albertson's to get fresh flowers (they make me happy and hopefully they do the same for whomever is coming to look at the house), ran to Target to get a baby gift, wrapped said baby gift, wrapped (bagged) a wedding gift, picked out something appropriate to wear to a baby shower and early afternoon wedding (in the same day) and picked up the ever so healthy TACO BELL for dinner.  BAD GWEN.  I'm disappointed in myself.  If I had come in, changed clothes and went right out the door on foot or bike, either way, I would have felt so much better than I do right now. And after that unhealthy dinner, I absolutely have to work our tomorrow before my 9 am hair appointment.  I am letting myself down every time I don't work out....even if it's just walking on the treadmill for 15 minutes.

Carey has to work and play music in Maurepas so I won't see him at all tomorrow, :(.
Overall I had a great day at work, I was in a good mood due to the royal wedding.  It just made me happy.  I loved her dress, although I thought it could have been more "pah dow" but that isn't really Kate's style.  She was royal and classic and just beautiful.  I didn't like her flowers, but then I'm sure she didn't really care what I liked.  When it comes down to it, it's between she and Will and God and I think God is happy.  And even though I'm married to my own Prince, I would have liked to be there: to view, just be in London, to be the bride, whatever!  

Happy Royal Wedding Day everyone...Happy day it is.
I'm going to join Carey in bed, b/c 7 am will come early.  Coffee is being made already (self timer).  I'll go for a run, take a bath, get a haircut at 9 am, come home do my face, get dressed, go to Jamie's while the Realtor shows the house (gifts for shower and wedding are in the car already), drop off clothes at cleaners, go to shower, go to wedding, then home to chill with my dog and wait for Carey to get home around mid-night.

Oh gosh, I have to print out the stuff for Children's Church on Sunday....I'm sort of nervous.  I've never taught Children's Church before....God help me!

Royal Wedding Day

Quickly and I'll write more later, but today is "Royal Wedding Day" and I am so happy for Prince William and Kate, a commoner. She is the first commoner to marry into Royalty in 350 years...WOW. She was beautiful. Although I missed the precession and ceremoney, I did see the two balcony kisses and of course, being the freakishly emotion woman that I am. I cried. Just a wee bit of course, but I was just moved, it was so sweet and elegant, just lovely.

Hanson

Yes, I said it.  Hanson - the boy group, only they are all grown up now.  Um..Bop just doesn't sound the same since their voices have all matured.  They are on Dancing with the Stars, although I think this is last weeks episode.  I don't really watch it this season, I usually do and so it automatically recorded.  Anyway, Tom Bergeron says Hanson has a new album out.  WHAT?  Yeah they are going to singing their new song later on.  Should be interesting.  I'm in bed, I left work early because I suddenly felt extremely nauseated....NO I'm not pregnant.  You know you were thinking that.  I had to tell Elizabeth (we had planned to go shop for ANOTHER baby gift for someone) and of course she asked that question...more than likely not, but I guess you don't know until you know.

Everyone asks me that, but I guess it comes with being 32 and married for more than 2 years...guess it won't stop until we have one and then it'll be, "when are you having another one?"  I'm ready for it - NOT.

I need to work out but I still am not feeling very well.  At least the "fever/fainting like" symptoms have gone away, b/c I swear I almost passed out at Ms. Dortha's desk this afternoon.

I'm excited that my best friend is coming into town tonight.  Can't wait to see her tomorrow.

24 hours is not enough

There are not enough hours in a day. I meant seriously, it's 9:08 pm and I'm yet to take a shower and the hornets play at 9:30 - it's the play-offs baby and YOU KNOW I LOVE BASKETBALL! Wake up, go to work, a friend's mother's wake (so sudden and sad), then home, quick 5.5 (BOO_ YOW) bike ride and some iPod psynchage and here I am.

Todays devotion on my iphone app said lots of great things. I wanted to touch on this statement:

"Simply going through the motions of reading God's Word was honestly not enough to light my path or transform my perspective" the write says. Does our heart really understand what our head knows. I go in spurts where I'm passionate about things and then they die down and then I get passionate again. I sometimes wonder if I just want to try and do too many things in 1 day or 1 evening, knowing that if I did fewer things well I would happier and more fulfilled. Am I "storing the information in the wrong spot?" What a great way to look at it. Yes I know the words of Scripture, but am I feeling them the way I should be? I need to study more and yearn for more. I need MY heart to understand the verses my head already knows. I need to know how to hold on and hide "His word in my heart..." Psalm 119:11

I had a wonderful conversation with my friend Dana today, we didn't talk nearly as long as I think we could have, as we have lots to catch up on. It sucks that the distance between people can be more than just miles. I do my best to call, write and text friends to let them know I'm thinking of them. It's another reason I don't want to get on facebook again. I spend so much time looking at pictures, reading peoples complaints about things or playing games that I throw away valuable time that could be spent building on those relationships that I have already spent the last 30 years (some fewer of course, in Dana's case about 10) nurturing.

As I've said, I've enjoyed my Lenten journey away from Facebook and into the world of blogging and devotion. I promised myself that I wouldn't use this as just an out to complain about things, when there is so much more in my life to rejoice in and be thankful for. Don't worry, if you know me, you know I can complain but then name me one person you know doesn't? Thank you.

One thing I'm thankful for is that tomorrow is Wednesday. Nicole will be here on Thursday and I'm SOOOOO looking forward to that and having a girls night. I miss my girls. That is all.

Proud Mary...

If ever there was a job where you felt more like it was "hanging out with family everyday" than going to work, then that job was at LSU HCSD.  My friend Elizabeth, whom I love and adore, thankfully was also employed there with me.  Sometimes it seems that we never left that place because we all pick up right where we left off and all stay in touch pretty regularly.  I love those people...very special memories there: post Katrina, pre-Carey,  wedding plans, I mean the list goes on.

This past Good Friday I  had the pleasure of going on the "Proud Mary" for her maiden voyage.  We had a blast, weather was perfect, crown was small, boat was AWESOME!  Here are few pics;

Jesus is RISEN today.

It's the holiest day of the year and the most wonderful.  Jesus the Christ is risen from the dead today and saved us.  We can live eternally in heaven with him because of God's sacrificial only son.  What a honor.  I feel so blessed and loved.  I'm so thankful for all the blessings in my life and I was lucky to spend today with a great majority of them.  I saw my nephews yesterday and then my pseudo-nieces (Presley and Kensley Kling) and my pseudo-nephews (Cam and Cash Painter) and my wonderful Godson Davis.  My Dad, Mom and Maw Maw Roberta, joined us in G-town and it was a wonderful day.

Had two nice runs today, watching the Hornets game with my love and my love-dog (that's what I call Pedro, instead of love child) :).  Now if we can just get this condo sold, all will be perfect in the Poche world.

Happy Easter!

"Happy Easter!" Carey says to me. "it's midnight," he says afterwards. We just finished watching "The Fighter" with Amy Adams, Mark Wahlberg (yummy) and Christian Bale (just as yummy, although not in this movie.) More importantly is that we went to an early dinner and then the Easter Vigil service (yes the two hour one, but Carey picked it) it was beautiful. Beginning in darkness, waiting for the light of Christ to arrive. Father Trey said something during mass, well she said a lot of things. Really he asked that we do our best to see the light of Christ in other people, to see the light of Christ when times are tough, when we are struggling, when we feel like we're in darkness. That is a hard thing for me to do, I admit it everyday. I struggle everyday and often times I feel like a hypocrite because I know how easily I become sinful. What an amazing and wonderful Lord we have that he forgives us, and asks us to go toward the light. Go towards Him, he died for us. He rose from the dead, just as he promised so that we could forever glorify Him and live eternally with Him. It just doesn't get more amazing than that.

Even though Lent is over, I downloaded this Woman's Devotion to my phone and I'll have to write about it. I'll also have to write about that Whitney who is light to my life everyday. And of course I'll write about that adorably cute, yet stubborn husband of mine, who has made so many things happen for me. Even from the smallest and sometimes seemingly insignificant decision to bigger dreams, he pushes me and he makes me better. He's a risk taker and I like that about him. He so darn cute too. I know why God sent him to me. I pray daily for him to open his heart completely to God. I know he's not vocal about his faith like I am and I have to respect that. Perhaps I married my father. My father prays a lot, I know that. He has said time and time again "I have a personal relationship with God." :) Makes me smile every time I hear him say that. I would like to hear those conversations. If anyone can makes God laugh, Harvey can. Then again I've been told, "if you want to make God laugh, make plans." HA...I do that often. I bet I crack God up just as much. If you think he doesn't have a sense of humor, think again.

Tomorrow Mom, Dad and Maw Bert (Maw Maw Roberta) will join Carey and I at the Broussard's for Easter Sunday celebratory shenanigan's. Not sure what we'll be doing exactly, but it'll be time with family and I know that I'll see Christ and His light in those people, even if they don't see it in themselves.

JESUS is RISEN today.

Hallelujah...

It's Holy Saturday....tomorrow is the big day.  The most important day in a Christians life, at least I think so.  I know I've slacked off with my writing, but I have not slacked off with actually reading and praying the devotions.  That happens no matter what.

I'm so excited about Easter and am so excited that Carey stepped up and said, he wanted to go to the Vigil service.  Regardless of the reason, he mentioned going before I could ask and that my friends, is a big step.

Jesus is RISEN!  Are there greater words, happier more loving words we could speak?  UM...no.  1 Peter 3:18  "For Christ died for sins once for all,..."  WHOO HOOO.  God's promise was fulfilled and Jesus saved us us, I mean it can't get better than that.

Taking the boys to see RIO today, that's how we'll celebrate the Lord's rising...maybe I'll share the easter story with them.

So stupid

I lost my camera last night. I can't believe I left it in a cab. I have to call a bunch of them to see if anyone turned it in. Ughggh what a pain. I cant't believe I'm such a dufus. I cried and cried, but at least I can buy a new one right. We take too much pride in possessions. Well clearly I do. :(

God is patient.

Today's reading is about Lazarus being raised from the dead after four days. Popular Jewish belief was that the soul lived for three days outside the body. Jesus arrivded a day late. Wat we've learned here is that Jesus is patient and there isn't anything that we could do that will turn Him away from us. Jesus said to Martha "Didn't I tell you that if you beleive you will see the glory of God.?"

Thank you God for finding Collin a job, and blessing Beth with a baby. Now if you could find husband for my single friends and find us a house I'll be the happiest girl in the whole wide world!

On another note, Vegas is awesome! We are having a wonderful time. Looking forward to dinner tonight at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill. We had lunch at Todd English's Olive today and it was fabulous. I won a little bit today not much but $30. I'm not sure I even used any of my own money yet! :)

115

I've never been so happy to say I'm 115 lbs than I am right now.  I weighed myself at my Dad's and was so excited to see that little needle far from 125....that's where I was last time I weighed myself there.  I knew I had lost 7lbs, but 3 more down....5 to go.  I can't believe it.

We leave for Vegas in the morning...I can't wait.  Time for a bath.
WHOO HOO!  110lbs, here i come.

Thank God everything was ok...

Carey and I had to go on a little shopping trip today to get him some new shorts (smaller size mind you) and return some items for my mom. We were only gone a few hours, but when we arrived home we could hear sweet Pedro in the patio area, his little collar jingling as he ran around. Shocked, only to realize that I had left the patio door WIDE OPEN, while we were gone. It was such a lovely day, that I had opened it earlier while I worked on the computer at the dining room table.

"What an idiot that I left the door open." Thanks be to God that nothing happened while we were gone. Pedro is famous for "hearing" something and then running off to see what it is. We're so lucky that he was ok when we got home, in fact he probably sat outside the whole time we were done.

What a dufus, me that is.

..I wish it was Sunday, that's my fun day...

oh wait...it IS Sunday and what a gorgeous Sunday it is.  It's early.  Carey is still asleep, we had a long evening out with some good friends.  Jennifer and David Knight, joined US (not us to them) for dinner at PF Changs and then some drinks and pool at a bar that I didn't even know existed in Baton Rouge.  If that is he case, I wonder how many other "hole in the wall places" exist in this town. Perhaps that can be my new endeavor.  Find new things in Baton Rouge and write about them.  It was a fun little place with an add mix of people there.  We got home around 12:30 or 1:00 am, I can't really remember.  It was a wonderful evening.


Now I'm having a cupcake for breakfast with some coffee, Yes, I said it, A CUPCAKE. It's my weakness: dessert, I could probably skip healthy meals and go straight for it.  Never worth the caloric intake, so therefore I must work out today, since I won't work out on Wednesday (at least I don't think I will, unless I do in the morning)  and Thursday we leave for Vegas, so that's unlikely as well and I won't work out again until Monday...so this week I have to be very committed in my Mon-Wed work outs.

I'm working on GBR SHRM public relations items and preparing for a run either outside or on the treadmill before I hit the shower. What made me need to come blog, was as I was checking my email I found this email from my friend Faye.  


"God will have you sell that Condo, you’ll see and it will put you in awe of how he does things. He says in the bible that His thought are not our thoughts, neither his ways our ways, but they are higher. We have a limited understanding of how he looks out for us. Consider the lilies of the field, they don’t torn nor spin, but there is not a king with more splendor than them, consider the sparrow, they don’t plan nor serve, but they are fed by their master that watches them grow. So think of how much more he cares about the little things that concern you. "


Faye was such an inspiring friend.  Always had the right things to say, to pick me up and push me to study for my PHR.  I don't know that I would have really pursued it if it were for her and our chance meeting via LinkedIn.  God really does know what he's doing.  Still seeing that reminded me of this conversation that Jennifer and I were having last night and then a subsequent conversation with Carey regarding the sale of our condo and the Lord plans for such.  If I could only make people, and no one in particular, believe that faith can really move mountains...all would be well in the world.  At least I think so. 

Just finishing talking to/drink coffee with my girl Nicole.  Thanks N, for having coffee with me.  We've been out of the loop for a few weeks with you're grand travels.  Now spending a little time with the husband, a little devotional time with God, since I've missed the last few days.

Today, I'm told that I should let the word penetrate and dwell within me.  Unfortunately the last few days that hasn't happened.  I'm not really sure where my mind is but it hasn't been completely "here."  As we read in John of the blind man, whom Jesus made able to sit with spit and clay, we learn that there was much more to what we "see."  To see with eyes of faith, to see a God who is, what was the word, incomprehensible, we spend our entire lives living to fulfill God's plan for our lives and getting to know Him.  Thankfully, our relationships don't take that long. Although non can be as fulfilling as that relationship that we have with God.  It's so important that I continue to build on it every day.  I'm learning to do that by Thanking God for what I have and what he's given me.,; Ask for my friends an family members to be blessed in the way that they need/want; ask for what I want/need and then understanding for when God's will is done.  That is the important thing.

Every day, my faith grows stronger and I TRUST completely God's plan for me.

Dreaming again...

I attending my first HR Conference in quite a while and left feeling re-energized.  The keynote speakers were just my style, loud, energetic and moved around a lot.  I could totally have been a key note.  That is my new goal, to have people call on me one day to speak at a conference.  To write books and sell books that can get people excited about going to work (yeah it takes special people to feel this way) but I know it's possible.  I know that my feelings about my old job and my feeling about my current job can be combined to form my dream job.  I guess I haven't reached that goal yet.  That perfect job for me is out there,  I wish I could channel all the feelings into one dream, one goal.  I'm so "Radi H D" as Whitney would say, even in my professional life.  I love to be at work, I love to be busy and accomplish things at work, I also (and you won't be surprised) love to be loud and have fun at work.  I think people can be professional and not stiff, I believe that things can get accomplished with energy and creativity all the time.  One of the key note speakers mentioned that if you asked a group of professionals (which he did) if they could paint a picture, about 10 people would raise their hand.  If you ask the same question to 100 kindergarteners, every single one of them would raise their hands.  No one thinks, I can't do it or I have to ask if I can no one doubts.  What happens to us from Kindergarden until adulthood that steals away our confidence in our work and our creativity?  With the economy being as it is and jobs being hard to come by, now isn't really the time to take risks.   One day I will.  One day I'll be that jewelry store owner, who is an author and kindergarden teacher....doing all her own HR functions.  HA!  I'm tired just thinking about it.  :)  But that's me.

So while I'm at this conference Whitney calls me and very non-chalantly and calmly says "hey I'm going to the emergency room."  Well um HELLOOOOOOOO, I'm in Lafayette, so I'm freaking out and she acts like it's no big deal.  "And Call Ashley she says."  Um, ok.   Her sugar was high, she had cellulitis.  Crazy girl.  She's doing better now, the swelling went down in her legs.  Every day gets better.  She was excited to be able to sleep in her Mama's bed.  She's been wanting to do that for a while now, especially since she's been sleeping with all the lights on in her room.  Apparently there is something or a ghost of whatever living in her closet and it doesn't like light?  I don't know.

As far as the devotion goes: I left it at work.  So again I'll write about the the daily devotion that I just downloaded onto my phone (as soon as it's loaded).  That was fast.  I'm telling you, I've really enjoyed not being on Facebook.  Sometimes we need to take ourselves out of the schedules, the work, the appointments and get away.  Sometimes we need to talk with God.  I think this Lenten season I've been more focused on me.  Not selfishly, just my health, my weight, my time with Carey and my relationship with the Lord, who has been so wonderful to me.  I'm truly, truly blessed.  I know that God's plan is unfolding before my eyes, only I still think I'm not spending enough time focusing on it, b/c at the moment it's not very clear to me.  Am I looking at the right thing?  Sometimes we spend so much time searching for what we think is right, we miss what's right in front.  One thing is certain, I've said it before and I'll continue to say it, again and again - God is always there.   "Come to me all who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

Bring it to Him and rest in Him.

Sharing the Plan

Before I begin with today's devotion, I'm ashamed (just a bit) to say that I've missed blogging the last few day's devotion and I'm in Lafayette at an HR Conference so I'm unable to blog what is in the black book, but my devotion on my phone today is titled "Sharing the Plan" and therefore I'll use it tonight for my devotion. I didn't really "feel" it as I normally do. It talking about relationships within the church and how to rebuild those relationships, but before we go rebuilding relationships, I guess we first have to make sure that our own individual relationships, with God and our church, before any others, are strong enough. We can't really move forward with anything, if we don't have God and don't have the kind of relationship with Him that allows us to ask for what we want/need and to completely trust that He will give it to us, if that is His will.

I just finished working out and doing push-ups so this typing is a bit of sacrifice as my arms are soar already.
I miss Carey already and I've only been away from him for about 15 hours (if you count sleeping last night next to him "away") he was asleep when I left. Hopefully tomorrow will be educational and informative, as well as fast. I dread however, the work that I will have when I return to work. :( I'll have a lot to catch up on.

Dreaming...

So I love shoes, and I need, sorry, I would like a new pair of dark brown sandals as well as some heeled sandals b/c well I love shoes.  So I see these shoes and fall in love, I'm searching online for them only to find they are more than I like to spend on a pair of shoes.  :(    Are they adorable?  Guess I'll have to watch them until they go on sale....what do you think?