Dating and Eating and Museums oh MY!

This post is going to be a jumble of things because there is a lot going on in my life right now.  Meeting matches from eHarmony is the most recent addition of course, and if you've read my previous blog posts, for the most part it is going well.  I've had to weed one out this week that just has proved to be, well, weird.  Not in a oh isn't that cute? way...just weird as in, calling at odd hours, sending random 'sexy' texts and IMs...anyway...he is now out of the running for a real date....Moving on.

Date #3 with Bachelor #1 went great.  We went to The Mint Museum and enjoyed walking around, chatting about the different exhibits and him showing me some of his favorites.  Here's a pic of the museum itself and a piece of artwork in the entryway that was really beautiful.  My date was trying to get me to show him 'grabbing' this piece, but I didn't do such a good job...none the less, it was fun.  It is a Royal Blue Chandelier from the Dale Chihuly Studio Click here to see more about this piece

    

I enjoyed some Ansel Adams photography the best I think of all the exhibits (click here to see some of the current exhibits) but there were some really interesting pieces to look and the company was pretty great!  He even arrived with a gift...very sweet! (it was a copy of the 5 Love Languages for Singles by Gary Chapman...I am reading it now,pretty sure I lean toward physical touch and/or words of affirmation, but we'll see)  Since he's the first of my actual met in person dates from eH, I'd have to say I'm pleased so far with the matches for me.  This week I've had a LOT of service men...and strangely enough a handful of beekeepers in my matches....SO strange!  I have 3 dates in the next four days with bachelor #1, and I'm excited about spending some more time with him, still praying really hard for the Lord's discernment to keep me on track and guard my heart!

Still on the same dating track, I'd like to mention the eating I've done with bachelor #1.  He has such a PASSION for food, the preparation, the presentation and of course the taste...and to hear him describe a meal is almost poetic...I know, I threw up a little in my mouth too. But seriously it's true...He is passionate about art, music, food and many more things, but it's really a pleasure getting to spend time with him and share in this.  We are headed to Amelie's tomorrow night after the gallery crawl for dessert and I totally excited about that!  Saturday we're going to enjoy browsing  at Green Goat Gallery and then supper at Pinocchio's and dessert at La Cava.  I know what you're thinking...and I totally agree!  A girl could TOTALLY get spoiled like this...and I like it!  But it sure does set the bar high for the next bachelor in line...although we haven't made it to the meet in person phase yet.   I am just going to enjoy the time I spend with him or another guy and pray that the Lord will lay on both of our hearts if we should continue dating or not.

I'll be sure to take some pictures of dates 4, 5 and 6...should make for some interesting blogging.

Until then, Blessings,

S

A treat for the eyes AND mouth...

For those of you who know me, you know that I don't have the widest palate for food.  Meaning that I stick with what I like most of the time, not because I'm scared to try something new, but well, because it's comfortable...and I have really been trying to step out of my comfort zone and see where the Lord leads.

Last night, while on date #2 with bachelor #1, which makes me happy, just so you know, We went to a restaurant in Charlotte called Copper...the pictures above are from my  meal last night.  I don't typically take my camera to a restaurant and was encouraged to do so by my date, to have some pictures to post to Yelp.com which is a really cool site I'll talk about soon.  The restaurant is in an old house that has been renovated and the colors and decorations inside are just magnificent.

Anyway, Indian cuisine is not something I would typically be exposed to, but I LOVED it!  My date ordered us Massala Chai tea/coffee - not sure which it was, but I really liked it to, once it cooled off, it arrived very, very, very hot!  We started with naan, a bread, and three dips.  One was yogurt based and not my favorite, but the other two...oh my!  I hate I didn't get a picture now, but one was green and had mint in it and I really really liked it.  The other was a chutney of some variety and was equally delicious.  The next thing to arrive was a garlic chicken appetizer and it was really good as well accompanied by some carrots that were okay, my date was much more fond of those than me.  Our main course consisted of some delicious rice that had cloves and something else I couldn't quite place and Murgh Tikka Massala (the orange dish in the pictures) I had expressed some dislike to curry, but come to find out, I do like it.  The dish is chicken in a creamed tomato based sauce and it was SO good.  We also had garlic naan with our main course, which just made it all the better!

Now my date seriously makes me smile with his love for food...it's a real passion of his, and he LOVES dessert!  We had THREE last night, and each was delicious.  First we had Kulfi, the tower looking dessert shown above which is described as a neapolitan of coconut, malai (cream) and mango with figs and blueberry "paint" in the bowl....oh my!!!!  It was creamy and smooth, but kind of icy too...I can't give you words, but it was very good.  Then we tried a Bailey's kulfi, which is the block looking dessert, and it was good too, just a hint of the bailey's creme and very smoth, but probably the least favorite, but that is kind of marginal since they were all yummy.  Lastly we had a mango gelato I think it was and it was my fav! It was so sweet, so smooth...mmmm very very good!

I really, really enjoyed trying something new and the company was great!  Date number two was a success and I hope to see him again soon...just praying this along to see what the Lord has in mind.

Have a great Sunday and blessings to you all,

S

New Day, New Perspective

As you may have read, I recently joined eHarmony and have been talking to a few guys via email and two by phone.  I had a date last night with bachelor #1 at a local restaurant in my town and it was a LOT of fun.  We had talked several times by phone and I was very excited to meet him in person and just as excited when we left the date!  His smile and laugh are just awesome and when he does both he has these wrinkles around his eyes that are SO endearing and I definitely hope we will follow through with our plans for date number two, maybe this weekend. Only God knows what's next and I'm good with that.  But what I do know is that I allowed myself the freedom to have fun, enjoy his company and just focus on one date.  And I am so glad I did.  More to come on this dating saga I'm sure.

New perspective is all pretty much inward related, but I wanted to share that it never ceases to amaze me how God can open a path, just when you need it.  His hand in my life just amamzes me SO much and I'm so thankful that He loves me THAT much!  This really has nothing to do with last night's date, but rather more in the process of personal growth over the last year and seeing that God has been urging me to seek a closer relationship with Him.  I am praying that I can be patient and obedient to His timing, as hard as that can be sometimes.

I've taken some new pictures for my Project 365 and hope to post them this weekend.  I pray blessings over all those who read this blog!

S

Finally Friday Feelings

This has been a long week.  Just straight up stressful, full of this and that, late nights and early mornings.  I haven't respected my own boundaries and I've seriously got to be accountable to myself better about that.  However, the fact that I'm recognizing this struggle and have the tools to take ownership of what's in my control...means I'm growing as a whole.  And that's a great thing.

Yesterday was overall a rough day, job wise.  But when I think about it, even in that I am very blessed.  Just a few weeks ago, I was worried about my income, wondering where the money would come from.  The Lord has worked out a job for my laid off mom, and provided some additional funds through a part time child that I wasn't really expecting.  His faithfulness, grace and ability to humble me in the everyday things never ceases to amaze me.  I am very thankful for all the things in my life that He has provided.  Even the days when I am ready to pull my hair out.

I was praying for a situation in the shower this morning and just couldn't but help to think...wow...when God moves, He just flat out lets it be known.  I'll elaborate on this later as is appropriate, but for today, I am just going to continue to pray for this area of my life and trust that God will guide all of those involved.  He has instructed us no to worry.  So I'm taking that to heart today.  Not doing me any good to worry anyway, right?

It's finally Friday, and I'm pretty excited about that.  I have a hair appointment tonight and that always make a girl feel better, ya know?  And then tomorrow is wide open until a gathering at my sister's and then the Carolina vs Duke matchup...can't wait ~ bring it on Dookies, you're going down in the Dean Dome :)

I'm off to start my day.  Be thankful for the things in your life that you take for granted.  Even the crazy days.  They make us better people and I am feeling very blessed today.

Blessings,
S

Tired Thursday Thoughts

It's been a while since I posted. Mainly because I've been so stinking busy I can't seem to sit and have an organized thought long enough to write anything.  Also because I haven't been in the best frame of mind to write.  Which proabaly means I should've been writing to get out that frustration.

I mentioned in my last post about taking a bold step.  And I'm ready to discuss it a little bit.  Mainly because it's part of my frustration.  But also because I just need to vent.  I signed up for eHarmony a couple of weeks ago, and fulfilled a promise to some of my friends and family not to go through another year being a bystander in my relationship life.  So I filled out the loooong profile quiz...I can't even tell you how many questions I answered, but it was about a billion and one.  Anyway....have had quite a few matches....but only a couple 'real' interests so far (meaning making it through the communication levels to where you can freely communicate).  That being said, February was a free month to join and that meant lots of lookers but not payers which equals low response rate.  So now that March is here, we'll see if anything changes.  I am not a fan of online dating in general.  Mainly because I don't like opening myself up for rejection.  And trust me, it's there....of over 60 views to my profile in a couple of weeks, only a few have followed through to the next step...*ouch*.  Now obviously everyone is looking for what they 'like', whether it be a body shape, color hair, age whatever.  but it's really kind of a lesson in thick skin to let go of the fact that fifty something men looked at my profile and said 'nah, I'll pass' or something like that.  I am trying to keep a positive attitude about things and haven't given up hope that a situation I've been praying about will just work its way out with the Lord's guidance and I can move forward with this chapter of my life.  All of the stress around do they not like how I look (when I'm not super thrilled about it either) can make a girl crazy!

Enough about that for now...

I am blessed to have a new baby to have joined my group part time this week.  She's done a great job in transition and is a wonderful snuggler which I loooooove :)  She is teething (kinda early @ four months) and has had a ROUGH day today, but is happily sleeping in the baby wrap as I type this!  She arrives earlier than my other children because her parents are teachers, so I've had to adjust my morning routine a little since she's here at 6:30 and raring to eat and get back down for a quick nap before the others start to arive.  Hopefully next week will be even better.

This weekend is going to be pretty open and I'm hoping to get caught up on some much needed stuff around the house.  It's going to be time to work outside in the yard soon and my indoor projects are NO where near done!

Well, my time to type is done for now, because my little one is done napping...so until next time...

Blessings,
S

Thursday Thoughts

• It's a good thing I don't get paid to blog, 'cause I would have no paycheck this week. Life has been kinda busy
• I have a super busy weekend and I'm not at all prepared for it.  I'm going to be a vendor with my Creative Memories business at the Charlotte Area Mothers of Multiples sale this weekend...hoping for a great turnout!
• This week has been full of ups and downs and I feel a little kicked around to honest, but I certainly hope that I can get some peace soon
• A situation I've been kinda on the fence about how it's actually going, has made itself pretty clear in the past two weeks.  Funny how you can make something (or someone) a priority and then realize that you are the ONLY one who thinks it's important.  Perspective is an interesting thing.
• The stomach bug hit our house one week ago today and it was absolutely awful and I hope it never returns.
• I have completely failed on the Project 365 in the last week, but I will post some new pics by the weekend
• Eucerin calming creme is about the best lotion I've ever used, and I've tried everything for dry skin.  It rocks!
• I may be picking up another part time child, too bad I can't pick up some more sanity to go with her :)
• I took a bold step a week ago today, something I'll share about in another post, but so far I'd say I have mixed feelings about it. More to come on that.
• I need to get my spring outdoor projects ready to go, weeding, bush cutting, the fun stuff (BLECH!)
• I have a whole list of to do's that carried over from last week due to the stomach bug and I'm going to tackle some of it today...well I think I am...we'll see how that goes :)
• I think I'm all thought out for the moment.  Have a blessed day, S

Thankful for Things Thursday

Sometimes, when I have a series of bad days, I start to feel guilty for being so caught up in my own mess.  Does that make sense?  What I mean is, I have SO much to be thankful for, that the things in my life that are bothering me, well I just need to acknowledge that only I can make the changes to fix them and either do what needs to be done, or quit bellyaching about it.

I wrote recently about temptation and making decisions that are not the best for me, or trying really hard to make them.  Sometimes I feel so weighed down with the heavy decision making process that it 'feels' better to take the easy path rather than the right path.  But typically that path is filled with bad decisions, sinful behavior and destruction.  But I'm thankful to have God in my life, who gives me a nudge, sometimes even a push in the right direction when I'm headed astray.  Not to say that I always listen on the first try, but usually I end up falling in line eventually.

I am thankful today...

• that even though I tried really hard to make a bad situation worse recently, things didn't go the way I thought they would and I was spared the heartache that was sure to follow
• that my daycare opening has been filled with my previously cared for kids Peyton and Haila since their mom found a new job and is returning to work on Monday
• that I have a new day today to make better decisions and stay off the dang easy path and steer towards the right one
• that I have family and friends who love me, and help me even when they don't know that they are
• that I have a job I love
• that despite my shortfalls and sin, my God loves me and is still jealous for me

I am being motivated to make some changes in my life, both out of necessity and also out of sheer frustration with myself and finding myself in an impossible situation that only I can do something about (with God's help of course)  I've traveled this road unsuccessfully for many years, but really feel like it's key to me moving forward in my life.  So here's to the effort!

Today however, I am thankful, for the things I mentioned about and so many more...and just wanted to share.

Blessings,
S