High Five for Friday

I'm doing better, huh?!  You know, totally on a "schedule" and all.  Psht.  Really, I'm just having fun trying to document everything going on right now.

I really hope you ALL had a fantastic week.  We've had some bi-polar weather, but things are still much warmer here than they are in the rest of the world.  I hope none of you sustained any major damage after the storms last night.  

1.  My little brother got the keys to his new place today.  Woo hoo for him being close!  Like, across the parking lot close.

2.  We have such a busy weekend ahead.  :o)  Dinner with some sweet friends we haven't seen in awhile and a concert tonight.  A wedding tomorrow.  Church on Sunday. Somewhere in there, I have to find time to finish up some homework and make a grocery store run.

3.  I finally finished the bunting for Eve's show in April.  I'm over two weeks early!  That's pretty good for me.

Next, to start on the decorations and such for Lindsey's baby shower.

4.  Becker starts Monday.  I'm terrified.  But so happy to start this journey!  :-)  CPA license, here I COME!

5.  I've been looking at houses online in Raleigh, NC.  I know that we'll be leaving Texas this time next year, and we're still trying to narrow down where it is exactly that we want to go.  Raleigh definitely ranks towards the top of our list.

April Goals

April is going to be I-N-S-A-N-E!  With Becker starting on 4/7, and still being in school as well, I'm going to be lucky if I make it through this month alive.  

Again, I'm going to try to do my goals SMART.

Just for your info:
S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Attainable
R - Relevant
T - Time-Bound

HEALTH
1.  Do some sort of physical activity, 3x per week.  Goal date:  4/30/2014

HOME
1.  Hem curtains for living room.  Goal date:  4/12/2014  Completed:  4/12/2014
2.  Hang curtain rod & curtains for living room.  Goal date:  4/12/2014  So, yeah.  I kind of ran into a snag with this one.  Apparently, hanging the curtain rods within 6" of the window isn't going to be possible with the way the framing is done.  All I was left with is a GIGANTIC hole in the wall.  So this one is on hold until I can get to Lowe's, get some wall putty, and some paint to fix the hole.  Maybe by the end of the month?
3.  Hang IKEA shelves above desk, and organize the office space.  Goal date: 4/12/2014

PERSONAL
1.  Finish bunting for Eve.  Goal date:  4/17/2014  Completed:  4/2/2014
2.  Meet with Jeana to start baby shower planning.  Goal date:  4/25/2014
3.  Pick out fabric for baby shower decor.  Goal date:  4/30/2014

4.  Sew maxi skirt from knit fabric.  Goal date:  4/30/2014
5.  Start work on baby shower decor items.  Goal date:  4/30/2014

March Goals (Recap)

Welp - it's that time again, already!  I feel like my life is flashing before my eyes!  My primary focus this month was on getting ready for the Becker Review, as well as submitting my application of intent to the state board.  I accomplished both of those.  I won't say it's a completely successful month, but at least I managed to accomplish *something.*

HEALTH
1.  Create a work out plan.  Goal date: 3/15/2014
2.  Water, water, water.  80 ounces per day.  Track!  Goal date:  EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
3.  Log the fruits/veggies challenge @ work.  Goal date:  EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

HOME
1.  Hem curtains for living room.  Goal date:  3/15/2014
2.  Hang curtain rod & curtains for living room.  Goal date:  3/16/2014

PERSONAL
1.  Update, re-create, start over, etc. on the 101 Things to do list.  Find new focus.  Erase the past, and start over fresh.  Goal date:  3/15/2014
2.  Achieve three items on 101 things list.  Goal date: 3/31/2014
3.  Mail CPA Intent Application to state board.  Goal date:  3/7/2014
4.  Register for Becker CPA review.  Audit review in April.  Goal date:  3/15/2014

Weekend Recap

Whew!  You *know* it was an intense weekend when you are ready to come back to work so you can catch up on your rest!  :-)  

Friday was a vacation day for me.  I wanted to get caught up a bit on house cleaning, I needed to work on my research paper for Advanced Accounting, and I just needed to "re-charge" day to get my feet underneath me again.  Friday, I woke up around 8, and spent the next 6 hours working on my paper.  Around 2p, A and I left the house and ventured out to Arlington.  We've been tossing the idea around of buying a Mini Cooper to have as a second vehicle, so we ventured to Arlington to test drive one.  Then, Alex surprised me with a trip to Twisted Root and the UTA Planetarium.  If you've never been to a Planetarium, and are even SLIGHTLY interested in stars, planets, and our galaxy, I definitely recommend UTA!  

Saturday - oh my gosh.  I'm still trying to catch up on this one.  My brother sent me a text at 7:56a that the movers were at his apartment.  He's moving into a unit in the same complex at me, but his keys won't be available until Friday.  He had to be out of his current place today.  So he moved everything into my garage.

After that, I met a woman who was buying a couple of glass vases I had for sale, and then another woman who was selling the Harry Potter books in hardback.  Went to Kinko's to pick up the candy wrappers for Lindsey's gender reveal party, stopped by Burger King to grab lunch, and realized that Kinko's only printed ONE of the candy wrapper instead of the 20 I needed.  So I frantically called them, all while forgetting to order my own lunch at BK.  Raced home, changed clothes, did my hair, got in the car to drive to Denton to watch Matt's girlfriend's rugby game.  Fun game if you've never watched one, but I am too big of a sissy to play rugby.  LOL.  

After the rugby game, the four of us went to grab pizza and then venture to Riprock's for the girl's third half celebration.  Stayed there until 5:15, left Alex with my brother and Megan, and I drove home.  I had to stop by Kinko's to pick up the remaining candy wrappers, run home, finish up the chocolate bars, freshen up a bit, and head to Olive Garden for Lindsey's reveal.

She's having a baby boy! 

Sunday was church, finishing up some homework and a quiz that was due last night, as well as helping to finish up Matt's apartment in Fort Worth.  Whew.  

Speaking of church - if you are in the area on April 19th or 20th - you *need* to check out one of Gateway's amazing Easter services.  For more information - check out easter.gatewaypeople.com.  If you want to come with us - PLEASE let me know!

Man, I'm tired.  Is it Friday yet?!

High Five for Friday

How in the world is it FRIDAY again already?!  I'm most certainly not complaining, but it just feels like the weeks are FLYING by.  I'm at home today, working on a research paper for Advanced Accounting.  I'm pretty sure I could teach a class on International Financial Reporting Standards, in case anyone was interested.

So let's see -

1.  I know Lindsey's baby's gender.  And I can't tell a soul.  Well, other than Alex!  LOL.  She'll find out tomorrow at a dinner.  I couldn't be more thrilled to share the news with her and all of her friends.  I have the Hershey bar's colored with the gender, and wrapped, and ready to go.  I can't share the picture of them here, but be on the lookout next week! 

2.  Seriously - Alex and Chloe make me laugh.  These two definitely keep life interesting.  I was sitting at work this week when Alex sent me this text message photo.  I mean, how could you not giggle?!

3.  Can you believe that I'm only one week away from starting my first review course with Becker?  It's kind of crazy to imagine that I've been working towards this goal in some capacity for TWELVE years.  Granted, I took the long route, but still, I'm finally here.  Pray for me over the next 12 months.  It's going to be a grueling experience.  A co-worker is also going through Becker.  She started in March, so she's about a month ahead of me, but at least I have someone who understands and is going through the process with me.  She was smart enough to stop going to school this year, and focus on the review, whereas I'm trying to finish up my Master's at the same time. 

4.  My brother is moving his stuff into our place this weekend.  It's only for a week, but my poor car will have to be parked outside.  I'm just glad he'll be close again!  He'll basically move out next weekend.

5.  Next Thursday, 4/3, will be my ONE YEAR anniversary with my current company.  It's gone by incredibly fast.  I feel like I've learned so much, and I can't wait to continue to learn as the time goes by. 

Weekend Recap

Ekk!  Today is the day of Lindsey's anatomy scan to find out what Lil J's gender is!  She's bringing me the results in a SEALED envelope, and I'm coloring the Hershey bars this week, for this weekend's gender reveal party.  I'm super excited! 

Friday night, I met Lindsey and her mom, Becky, at the Rhea Lana consignment sale.  If you are an expectant mother or already have kids - it's an AWESOME consignment sale.  Lindsey got a ton of stuff for not much money, to help prepare for the baby!  They even had cloth diapers.  Color me impressed.  :-)

Saturday, I got up and worked on homework for a bit.  Nothing exciting, but had to be done.  I'm trying to get as far ahead in my studies as possible so that when the Becker review starts on 4/7, I'm not scrambling trying to finish school work too.

Then, we made the trek to Whitesboro to see my mom's new puppy, Winston.  He's an ham! If you've ever been around a poodle, they have such a sweet disposition, and Winston is no different.  Mom says he's doing great in terms of training, and he's already a well-behaved puppy as it is.  

Sunday - CHURCH!  :o)  I love our church, and I always love our Sunday sermons.  They just start the week off right.  I can't wait to be in a position where we can join a small group and attend classes during the week.  Right now, my schedule with school just doesn't allow it, but someday.  

After church, we took Chloe pup to the dog park.  She's such a goofball.  She'd much rather play with the people there than the dogs.  

We must have worn her out though, because she was a lazy dog when we got home. 

Check out where that Alex and I found her when it was time for bed...

50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind

I stumbled upon a blog one day, with the 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind.  It is an interesting concept, to me.  So I decided to add answering the 50 questions to one of my 101 things to do in 1001 days list.  

Without further ado, here are the questions...  check back often, as I attempt to tackle these questions.

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
This one is tough for me.  I think the most incredible age for me thus far was 29.  It's the age that I learned the most about myself, my strength (and weaknesses), and the age that I really felt like I came into my own.  However, it was a struggle too.  


Which is worse, failing or never trying?
In my humble opinion, never trying.  For me - you don't know if you'll fail or succeed, if you don't give it your all, and try.  I'd rather not live life wondering "what if..." 

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
I think in some way we feel obligated to our family and friends.  We work because we want to have the material things in life, like a roof over our heads, food on the table, etc.  We don't always work a job or in a career field that we love, simply because they don't always pay enough to survive.


When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
I certainly hope not.  I really try to be true to my word, and not talk about things if I can't come through.  That's not to say that sometimes things happen, but in the end, I want to be remembered as a person who kept my word.

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
Probably the people.  As crazy as that sounds, if the people were different, the world would be different.  I wish people actually CARED about each other more, and spent less time trying to compete with one another.  I wish people made life long friendships that they didn't throw away when the next "best" thing came into their lives.  I wish people were genuine, caring, loving, and put the way other's feel in the fore front of their minds.  

If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
I say that I know the answer to this question.  I'd teach.  Hands down.  I've always wanted to do something that might make a difference in the life of a child.  It's also why I've contemplated getting a Master's in Biblical Studies so that I can teach children in a biblical setting, or even travel and do mission work, and teach.  


Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
I'm for certain settling.  This isn't what I saw myself doing.  But, I made a decision some years ago, went to school for a really long time, and this is what I'm left with.  I'm making the best of it.  :-)


If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
I wouldn't have spent as much time focusing on my education/career.  I would have found a job that would afford me a lifestyle that was comfortable, but ultimately, I would have wanted to travel more.  I probably wouldn't have worried about getting married/having kids/etc. but would have focused on trying to leave my mark behind.

To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?

Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do?
I stand up for her.  Period.  No one deserves to be unjustly criticized.  And I don't back down from confrontation.  However, I would definitely lose respect and admiration for these people.
  

If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Enjoy being a child.  Enjoy the innocence.  Try not to grow up too fast.  Focus more on your grades, and less on finding a boyfriend/girlfriend.  Get a scholarship to college, and try to experience college the way it's supposed to be experienced.  
(My mom told me this growing up, and I never believed her.  I wish I had.)

Would you break the law to save a loved one?
Heck yes!  No questions asked.

Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?

What’s something you know you do differently than most people?

How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?

What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  What’s holding you back?

Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?

If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?

Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?

Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?

Why are you, you?

Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?

Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?

What are you most grateful for?

Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?

Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?

Has your greatest fear ever come true?

Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now?

What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special?

At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?

If not now, then when?

If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?

Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?

Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?

Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?

If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?

Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?

Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?

When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?

If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?

Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?

What is the difference between being alive and truly living?

When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?

If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?

What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?

When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?

What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?

In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that?

Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?