... I took about 1/2 my closet and handed it over to the good people of Goodwill and am learning to love my favoritest of clothes that I kept instead. It is funny how much more I wear the clothes I like the best when all the others are no longer an option.

... I have started experimenting with the different places I can walk to from our new apartment (although, unfortunately, no grocery stores are quite close enough anymore).

... I got two emails in a single day offering me some odd-job work, including a freelance writing assignment and some babysitting. Isn't it funny how that happens?

... I got my library card and enjoyed exploring my new library, which has an extensive religion section, including a full set of commentaries that my husband is especially excited about, and I picked one up to complement my recent reading of the book of Ruth in my daily Bible reading plan.

... I'm trying to find a tasty-but-simple pasta sauce recipe. My favorite store-bought kinds are the 3-cheese or vodka-sauce varieties, but I haven't found anything that compares quite yet.

... I got a hold of about a dozen empty buckets that I plan to put to use for my impending container garden, which I hope to kickstart within the next week, hopefully finally bringing my garden daydreams to fruition!

... Decorating-wise, I still don't have much on my walls here but am brainstorming new visual ideas to test out on these naked walls of ours. It seems that art is always what eludes me most when it comes to decorating!

... My husband surprised me with a little getaway! He told me to make sure I packed some good walking shoes and something nice for dinner. We hit the road once he got home from work, and ended up an hour north at Barnsley Gardens!

It's a lovely historic and outdoorsy resort that made me feel like we'd wandered into the Secret Garden. Here's some of what it was like:

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Walking to the Grocery Store and Other Thoughts On Life Without a Car

A few years ago, I read a book with a silly title that talked about French women and the health benefits of their lifestyle—one aspect of which entails that they walk almost everywhere.

At the time, living in the suburbs on a busy road, I shrugged my shoulders and moved on to the next point, to see if maybe I might benefit from that one instead.

But now, living in an urban-ish neighborhood, I finally find myself in a position to be able to put that old-fashioned way-of-life to the test. The funny thing is that I wouldn't have even attempted it if it hadn't been for the fact that I had to. I've lived in this neighborhood for more than a year and a half. But it wasn't until last week that I decided to trek to Publix. And then to Kroger. And then to Home Depot and CVS.

It wasn't until I didn't have access to a car that I realized that I could do all of these things, on foot and in less than an hour, the same amount of time I'd spend strolling through picturesque neighborhoods and wooded parks when I'd go for a walk.

It's been about a year now that my husband and I have been living with only one car. I wrote awhile ago, during the season when I was working from home and my husband had a part-time job, about all the grateful insights I'd garnered from the seeming inconveniences of a shared-car lifestyle.

But it wasn't until my husband got his job, along with a 45-minute one-way commute, that I was really stretched regarding only having one car. For awhile (when the skies were dark and gray and the temperatures harsh), I limited most of my errand walks to the closest neighborhood grocery and waited until the weekend to hit up the others.

But now, thanks to the blue skies and beckoning sunbeams that have come out to play of late, I've finally had the courage (yes, courage to try something new) to put sneakers to the pavement and take grocery bags to the streets.

And I've been surprised at how close things really are, despite the busy streets and traffic lights. I'm pretty sure that I can make it to Kroger faster on foot than when I'm driving and hitting red light after red light!

I know many people are still straddled by suburban constraints or busy schedules that make walking to and fro burdensome or unrealistic. But I also know that sometimes, it's not so bad or hard or far or time-consuming as it might seem. Aren't those the most wonderful of discoveries?

It's literally a breath of fresh air, being able to hitch a bag of groceries over my shoulder and carry the feast home with my own bare hands. All thanks to a little bit of inconvenience that pushed me to take a walk on the wild side of things.

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We're officially a one-car family.

Well, it's official. We are now a one-car family.

Even up to now, we've mostly used my Honda Civic (the infamous one that was broken into in our parking lot), since my husband bikes to school and I work from home. There's not the greatest need for two vehicles except when we need to haul something or both want to run errands.

So the other week, the clutch went out on my husband's truck. We took it to the shop who estimated the repairs to run between $1,200 to $1,600.

With nearly 200,000 miles on his truck, we decided it was time to cut our losses while we were ahead, rather than gamble that more things won't start breaking down on the truck and cost even more money. We were able to sell the truck to a worker there for $100, but will save even more on car insurance, tag registration fees, upkeep, etc.

We're going to try to live with one vehicle as long as possible until it's completely inconvenient to do so. Fortunately, I just got word the other day that my freelance job will last through summer, which is an incredible blessing! My husband graduates in May and will start looking for a job, so even then we should be fine. It's only when we both have outside full-time jobs that we'll need to start looking for another vehicle, presuming that our workplaces aren't near each other.

And while we wait, we'll stash the saved money in a car fund--either to use for repairs on the Civic or to use for when we do need to add another to our name. For now, we're choosing to consider this a blessing rather than a liability, and praise God "whether we win or lose."

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photo by eternal

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Life in the Slow Lane: The Up-Side to Going Without Internet

photo by eternal

For the past two weeks, our apartment has been quieter than usual: No streaming movies or Youtube, no reciting the latest hilarious/insightful/fact-finding Facebook update, no flitting through music on MySpace. Our internet has been down, due to a late-night rendezvous someone had with the telephone pole outside our apartment building. (When the crash occurred, Michael went outside to check and is pretty sure the guy is, surprisingly, totally OK, though it's suspected it was drunk driving.)

This has caused its share of problems, especially considering Michael is in his last semester with his fair share of research papers to write and one class being held completely online and I work from home, via internet/email. We've packed up our laptops and made our rounds to the various area coffee shops, pecking away to get as much done in as short a window of time as possible.

And yet, in spite of the frustrations, it's taught me something. Having spent the bulk of the past 8 years in front of a computer screen--first during college and now in the professional sector--I've come accustomed to finding stuff to do online. When I get bored, I'll troll through blogs or pull up the latest online article or surf through Facebook. I'll reload and reload my inbox, waiting for the latest email (and then put it aside to write back to...later).

Without that luxury at my fingertips, I've learned that I really can go 24 hours without checking my inbox...and I'm not missing anything! I've noticed that now, when I do check my emails, I'm quicker to go on and respond (albeit if not as longwindedly as before) because I don't know when I'll have another chance to check. I've noticed that my life is no less interesting or up-to-date by not having my Facebook newsfeed at my beck and call.

I've also noticed that I don't really miss it... I spent one whole day curled up in bed reading a novel I picked up at the library. I went through a bunch of cookbooks and photocopied some recipes for easy cataloging. I created a little "household" binder for a place to store all the ideas and magazine pages I tear out about things like decorating or crafts or planting a garden. And I also don't have much fighting to distract me from my morning quiet time (except for my Sudoku book!).

It's funny how attached you can get to something like the internet with its instant-gratification smorgasbord of options and entertainment. And this little "situation" has been a handy little reminder of not getting too attached to things like technology.


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Back to the classroom for me!

photo by iotdfi

You know how there are some books that seem to be written just for you?  Those books where an author is able to speak directly into our soul, and you read along, going, 'Yes, yes!' Those book that have the uncanny ability to put to words things and piece together ideas that you never knew you longed to hear and realize.

One of those books for me was Lauren Winner's memoir, Girl Meets God. In it, she tells the story of how she went from being an Orthodox Jew to believing in Christ (through a dream no less) and her insights into being a Christian. One of the things that struck me about her was how much depth her Jewish experience brought to her Christian faith, how Jewish traditions add meaning to so many things that the rest of us seem to miss--in reading the Bible but also in normal, everyday life.

Which is why, starting this week, Michael and I will be taking a 3-week-long class at a local synogogue: "An Introduction to Judaism." (Plus, it's free!) I can't wait!

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A Weekend Trip to the Sunshine State

Sunshine. Sand between our toes. Blue skies. Flip flops. All things that were much needed and offered us a much-need vacation. Michael's grandma has a house in Naples, Florida and so we staged a little family get-away with her and Michael's dad & step-mom for the weekend.

There were dolphin sitings (far, far off shore), freshly caught fish from the pier (not by us, though), daily walks to the beach, late-night games of UNO, lots of naps, good food and fond memories.

Here's a little glimpse at our little holiday away:

(I was listening to Mates of State while I was editing these photos and this lyric seemed too perfect to leave out! Right, Holly?!)

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Our car was broken into...you won't believe what they stole

This is the sight we woke up to the other day: Light streaming through the bare branches, casting a glow on the melting snow underfoot as we ventured down to the parking lot behind our apartment building.

As is often the case, all was not as it appeared. Upon making our way closer, we saw that our innocent-looking car (the Civic in the center of the photo above), we saw that...our back window had been completely obliterated. By this:

Yes, that huge hunk of rock was hurled through our window. Fortunately our neighbor heard the large crash and woke up to see the culprit in action. He called the police, but by the time they arrived, he'd already fled the scene. Fortunately the sun was shining and it was a clear night so we didn't have to deal with the consequences of waterlogged upholstery or mildew, which would have been the case a day earlier. Fortunately, we were able to get it all fixed within 24 hours and you wouldn't even know it had ever been accosted like that.

So, do you want to know what he ended up taking, after all that effort? You shouldn't be surprised to know we barely keep anything in our car at all. I won't even keep original CDs in there--all of the ones in my car are burned copies so that I don't have to worry about scratches.

While combing through our belongings and picking out the shards, we discovered that he walked away with only two items:
1) A make-up bag I kept in the glove compartment that had some extra blush, bronzer, eyeliner and lotion, all of which were admittedly pretty old and most likely disgustingly melted. (I didn't even use them!)
2) A little tub of cleaning wipes that I kept in my car to wipe down surfaces every once and awhile. To boot, they were the generic Meijer brand!

So now some strange man is walking around downtown Atlanta with a bag of old makeup and some cleaning wipes--an interesting combination for sure!

Though it was a hassle (and an unexpected $100 expense to cover the deductible), we're just glad we're safe and he didn't trash (or steal!) the car! Besides, it's almost comical what he ended up deciding to take. Though next time, why don't you just knock on the door? I'll gladly save you the effort and take you shopping at the grocery store instead!

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Celebrating the holidays with friends and family

a print of Cincinnati available from visualingual

After driving 1,000 miles roundtrip up and down eastern U.S. and spending seven days frolicking in the Buckeye State with family and friends, Michael and I are back at home in Atlanta. (And I'm back behind my computer screen!)

Though I hate the drive it takes to get there, I love being in my old Cincinnati stomping grounds. There’s something about being able to get anywhere in 20 minutes, about knowing what places people are talking about and how to get there by memory.

But even more than that, it feels like home because so many people I love live there. When we were in town, we spent some time with my family and my parents helped me reupholster the cushions for our kitchen table chairs. We played with Michael’s little brothers. We grabbed coffee with old friends and spent time around countless kitchen tables catching up with relatives.

And I’m beginning to miss that—the little things like a helping hand and an “I've missed you!” hug—more and more, on each trip.

For now, Atlanta is our home as Michael finishes up his degree. And I’m enjoying it—having a little place to call our own as we forge our newlywed years together, just the two of us. Then there’s the warm weather, which has been such a reprieve after my year steeped in snowy Michigan. But, with an eye toward the future and the long-term, I know that a few extra degrees can’t hold a candle to being near to your loved ones.

We still have no idea what the future holds as far as jobs and opportunities and timelines. But still, I suspect that when it comes time to settling down and starting a family, there’s a good likelihood that we’ll return to this little town, on the edge of the Ohio River where pigs fly and bengal tigers play.

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I Didn't Get the Job: A Story with a Silver Lining

photo by bluecinderellee

Do you remember that a month and a half ago, right when I started this blog, I asked for prayer regarding a job interview and then shared how well the interview and all the circumstances surrounding it went? Well, a week later, I received a call back from them asking me to come in for a second interview. Everyone interviewing me was talking to me, treating me as though I already had the job. And that's how I was feeling.

Until it had been two weeks, three weeks and I hadn't heard a peep. Even after giving them a phone call follow-up and hearing nothing. That's when I began to realize...I don't think I got this job.

Up until now, any job I've ever had an in-person job interview for, I've been offered the position. I had thanked God that he'd never opened any door that he didn't deliver on, job-wise. I thought, how kind he is to spare me from that kind of disappointment and rejection!

Well, no longer. I got a very kind and amicable phone call today from the woman in HR who let me know that they've decided to move forward with another candidate. Now I had fully been expecting this, seeing as I hadn't heard anything in almost a month. Still, it's humbling to hear the words, when I'd been thinking, 'Maybe, just maybe..."

Previous to hearing this, I'd already committed to trust God with whatever he was doing in this situation. I had stopped praying for this specific job and stepped back to ask that he simply provide an income for us and that it be something I enjoy. I'd decided that whether this job came through or did not, that I would give praise to God, trusting that just as he is the One who is, was and is to come, that he has done great things for me, is doing great things for me and will do great things for me. Though I can't always see those great things happening right now, I will not fret but will wait patiently and expectantly for him to fulfill these promises of his.

Disappointing though it is, there are a couple silver linings: First of all, I asked the woman from HR for any feedback regarding my interview and she shared that the biggest decision-maker was that the other candidate had 12 years of experience versus my five. She said that I was a strong second candidate, and that they'd enjoy entertaining me in the future for other opportunities. That was encouraging to my slightly bruised ego. Secondly, with the suspicion that the job offer was going nowhere fast, I followed up with my current boss to see about extending my freelance contract through the new year. (Currently, it was slated to expire December 31.) She emailed me back almost immediately to let me know she'd been talking to upper managment about that very thing and would like to have me continue through January and likely February.

So, it's another month without having to wonder about income or dipping into savings. It is not exactly the stability I yearn for, but I think that's what God has been teaching me lately: To learn to trust him for my daily bread. To give him the chance to provide for me, month after month after quitting my job. With the peace that comes from him alone, I am thankful and encouraged, about all that was, that is and that is to come.

"...What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open."
Revelation 3:7

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Our holiday plans and burgeoning social life

original photo by origamiancy 

Crazy times around these parts, of late. It's been a surprisingly social week for us:

We joined a new small group starting up at our church and attended the first meeting on Tuesday. One of the really cool things about that is that as luck would have it, there are two other newlywed-ish couples (one has been married for 1 year and the other for about 3 years) without kids and two older couples. One of the things they told us that they're most excited about in regards to hosting our small group is pouring into us in regards to our marriages--which is one of the things I was praying about as we moved down here. In one of the pre-marriage books Michael and I read, they emphasized your "honeymoon habits." Essentially the habits we set up at the beginning are going to be the habits that last--for good or bad. So I look forward to getting feedback and advice and insights early on, so that we can avoid as much damage-control as possible and keep this flame-o-love a-burnin.

Wednesday, Michael played music at a Thanksgiving event that a local coffeehouse-ministry was hosting. There was turkey and mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie and everything. Definitely got me in the mood for next week!

Tonight, one of Michael's friends has started a monthly get-together of different musician friends to come together, share some of their work-in-progress music and just be creative together. As the Mrs., I get to join along and soak in the music. He hosted the first night last month which was a lot of fun. He lives in this old house that looks like a log cabin and so at times it feels like a scene from out of a movie like Garden State or something: everyone crammed into a little room with mismatched furniture, sipping hot cocoa while the musician-of-the-moment is playing guitar. Memories in the making.

Then comes the tidal wave of Thanksgiving. We'll be spending the weekend with Michael's dad, coming back to Atlanta for 2 nights and then driving back to Cincinnati on Tuesday where our schedule is already planned out moment by moment. It's pretty incredible to go from the days when you wake up and ask yourself, "What am I going to do today?" and decide that the agenda is a walk to the park and a homemade latte and then find yourself scheduled like this. After spending the last year or so of my life in a new city, it is taking me some getting used to. But I am enjoying this transition as we turn Atlanta into "home."

Any fun plans for anyone this week/end?

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