Heads-Up, I'm BACK

Really? It's been THAT long since I last had anything to say? February - 7 months ago. I am such a quiet person. I should really work on that. Everyone always tells me how shy I am. (insert saracastic tone here)


So, LOTS has happened in that amount of time. Well, lots and kindof not. Stuff, but maybe not ALL the stuff I had hoped to look back and see. The biggest deal is that I finally found a church home. And I realize that IS a huge thing - for me, for any of us. Not that I need the four walls, or the religion aspect, or the institution itself - what I need is the community. The people, the connections, the relationships. That's what life is all about anyway. Relationships.


It's not like I didn't have great friendships and even Christian relationships before now; thank goodness God has faithfully brought along solid lifetime types of buds into my world at every turn. But, it's been awhile since I was rooted in a specific group of believers, on a routine basis. And because we are built to function like that, to do life together, if feels very good to find myself in a head-space, in a heart-space, where I am growing again. Even being challenged in healthy ways to sink deeper into my love of Jesus.


So, now onto not so great stuff - my grandparents passed away this year - my mom's folks. And I am real honest about having not ever been super close to them. But, to see the hit it took on my mother. Man. Talk about hurt. I am still really aching for her loss. My grandparents didn't do the best job ever of showing their kids unconditional love growing up. Specifically, my grandma would also find ways to bluntly state her discontent with any situation - and with any of her daughters, their husbands, or any of the grandchildren. Visiting them was always an obligation that I did not eagerly seek to fulfill. However, they were family and despite the MANY issues that surrounded the relationships - we loved them. And my mom misses her parents. I think it's mostly knowing that they simply aren't here anymore. Grandma isn't scooting around the kitchen in her vintage apron - clearing whatever inch of counterspace she hasn't covered in tupperware containers - to mix up a random medley of leftovers. Grandpa isn't falling asleep during prayer or talking about the cars he owned and fixed over the years. They aren't coming to Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or Easter. They are gone. I cannot even imagine how that must feel. Especially for someone like me, who will have to face that someday - after having enjoyed an amazing relationship with my mom and dad. I simply can't picture my life without them, their support, their laughter, the foundational stability that serves as my background. Tough stuff. heavy stuff. I do that. I get so far into my head sometimes... I am not sure which way is out.


Out...that reminds me to mention something. I am making a new goal. To get OUT of debt. I mean, yes, that has always NEEDED to happen. I always knew it would not disappear on it's own. But, I have signed up for Financial Peace University - a Christian course that meets weekly in a small group here - with the intent of getting a handle on my finances, paying off debt and saying goodbye to all that stress and emotion I carry around about money. My constant lack of funds bothers me all the time and burdens so many aspects of my life. This process is going to be extremely painful. I resist discipline in all shapes and forms. But, it is an absolute MUST. I have to clean up this mess and move on. One of the first orders of business? Sell stuff that I don't need! Just tonight someone came to pick up two (awesome, but I don't have the space) vintage nightstands and left me with $75. That's going straight into my 'Emergency Fund' envelope. The first step in our class is to get $1000 in the bank and not touch it. $1000 is a bunch of dough and it's a bit daunting...but, little by little, I will get there. Even if I have to sell my kidney.


What else you ask? Oh...well, I have to save some info for next time, right?!

Projects...

I am a projects kind of girl. I love them. I am always looking for more. There is continually a very full ongoing list of 'to do' items in my possession that grows and grows...into often an overwhelming mountain of tasks...but, more often, is a somewhat orderly relieving account of everything necessary down on paper - in black and white. I prefer my project lists to be hand written...since the biggest pleasure of all, of course, is crossing an item off in permanent black marker in celebration of it's completion. Isn't that an incredible kind of rewarding?? But, as of late, technology has crept in and I find myself using the 'Notes' section of my iPhone for said list. Instead of sharpie closure, I just delete the line. Not quite as satisfying, but easy.

Let me start off by saying, I don't pat myself on the back much. In fact my counselor told me I lack a significant amount of self appreciation and self encouragement (I digress here a bit). Basically what I mean is, I don't often make comments about being pretty good at this or that. So this is a little uncomfortable for me to share. But, just yesterday, I was working on 2 PROJECTS - using all types of tools out of my quite generous collection of hardware related goodies - to fix the toilet lid and the bathroom cabinet (see picture). After finishing up, I thought... I'm DAMN handy, and I like that about myself! I even kind of laughed out loud a little.


So, this post may bore you to tears, especially since I haven't written in over a year and this is my first go of it again. You might be thinking, "REALLY, April? Couldn't you have come up with a better topic than this?" But, truthfully - projects is what I spend a lot of my time doing, whether it's sprucing up an old treasure I found at a fleamarket, replacing the handles on all of my kitchen cabinets (which is next) or working on a painting (see picture) - these things bring me JOY! I learn through these experiences - the new materials, the trial and error. And I know that's the stuff you do want to know about me.


Now, this is totally random, but if you haven't checked out these websites, they are worth a look:

http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/
http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/
http://manbabies.com/popular
http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

P.S. I am recently completely obsessed with creating and perfecting my Pandora radio stations. Anyone with me? Hallelujah!

P.P.S. There is FULL-ON Blizzard raging outside!

Drum Roll Please...

I would like to introduce you to Kate! She has been one of my very closest friends since freshman year at JMU. We met while pledging for the same sorority, but our relationship has strengthened, deepened, and become even more cherished through time and walking alongside one another for so many years! We have shared ups and downs with relatives' health issues, relationship/romance woes, office time working for the same organization, Bible studies and special occasions. She is truly one of the very most important people in my life. Kate was living here in the area after we graduated from college....and so we have had some overlapping time in the area that is the cluster-chaotic mess of Northern Virginia.

It has been a true joy and blessing to watch her and Rob (who also went to school with us) bring two adorable, smart, funny and endearing children into the world. These little kiddos really ARE a nephew and niece to me....quite fitting for my name: "Auntie April"! :) Well, as Callie grew it was first "Auntie Apples" and then Charlie called me "Auntie Apoo"! To be completely honest - I was thrilled at all of these silly titles!

I have spent so many hours hugging these little people, holding them, reading to them, eating with them, playing games, and getting to know their unique and delightful personalities. These two are addicting! As soon as I was done babysitting, or leaving their house for the night after a fun visit with the family----I wanted to do it all over again. There is nothing quite like the love of a child. Is there? Here are some photos of us after creating some sweet looking gingerbread houses for Christmas:



So, this is my little note out there into the blog world about loving them. I could say so much more. But, right now, I am just really missing them. Right after Christmas this year, they moved to NH and are planning to settle there for awhile. It is so tough to know that they are not across town and that visits will be so much more infrequent now because of the distance. But, there is so much good about their move. The relocation provides a wonderful school for the kids and a new job for Rob. So, I am trying not to focus on the loss - but, instead view it as another reason to take trips up north!

Kate knows I have this blog and use it mainly to keep up and communicate with you girls from BMT on here. She knows some other bloggers and has now started her own just recently, too! We are expanding the virtual circle here, ladies! Technology is crazy!

Check out Kate's blog to see pictures of her family! Take time to read her thoughts and find out some stuff about her, because it's all treasure!