March Musings - Day 31

I couldn't decide how to wrap up my March Musings, but I finally did.

Today, John was the best. He came and helped out with some things, took me to run an errand, got slightly lost on an adventure on a very back road home, took care of me and made dinner so I could go to work and clean our ice cream machine, where he then waited for me so he could take me home. ❤ If all that isn't love, I don't know what is. I am so thankful for having him around when I need encouragement or a hug or a hand. ❤ So to end this March Musings, I just want to say how much I appreciate this sweet fiancé of mine!!!!❤

Thank you, Sweetheart! I love you!!!!

March Musings - Day 30

Food is important. Like really important. I usually do a pretty good job at eating 3 balanced meals a day with a snack here or there. This evening though, I was nauseous. I ate a good breakfast and lunch like always, but a lack of dinner (even though it wasn't even late yet....this was at 5:30-6 oclock!) make me feel terrible! (Thankfully I have a super sweet fiance who I am slowly getting addicted to Panera ;) hehehe!)

It got me thinking about my new Bible. I have a great one for reference, but for reading and learning, I needed a new one. If I go without reading, I get spiritually nauseous and can't think straight. Yet if I read God's word, and rely on it for getting though the day, I will feel much better! I'm thankful for my new Bible, and am quite excited to use it!!

March Musings - Day 29

One of my favorite things to do is discover what someone likes, and send a splurged gift to them every once in a while. For example, I discovered recently that John likes 3 Musketeers, so whenever he isn't around, I get one to surprise him when I see him next. Or if I discover a friend loves letters, I'll make sure to write them frequently. Or if a friend loves tea, I make sure to send them some every now and then. Well, I'm super excited today because I found out about a book one of my friends likes, so I decided to get them to add it to their collection! Ahhhh I hope they like it!

March Musings - Day 28

When a cute little curly-haired girl comes in and asks to go on a walk to see the sunset on a cloudy night, don't resist.

You may find a rabbit hole, and get chased by the imaginary rabbit. The imaginary dog will smell it and come chasing you too! 

Or you may be a detective sneaking around on tip toe around the town!

Or maybe you'll find a mountain to climb, and when you reach the top you get blown away by the wind!
 

Or you might even get attacked by a sneaky bush! 

No, never ignore a chance to go see the sunset on a cloudy day! Especially when a cute curly-haired girl goes with you! 

March Musings - Day 27

Today my manager pulled me aside, and asked if I would like to help run ice cream. Of course, I said yes! So now I have a little kingdom to help run with sprinkles and sugar and spice and everything nice.  I'm excited to go on this hot fudge and soft serve adventure!

March Musings - Day 26

Rest. Quiet my soul and rest. That's what I did today. After the hustle and bustle of a busy month, I rested. Its hard for me to rest well. Usually I get guilted and stressed by my to do list, or try but don't rest well because of worry. One of the most important, and subsequently hardest, things to remember is this: Jesus rested. He withdrew to quiet places and rested, by doing so was able to serve those around him more effectively. What a good example for us when we are tired out. It is a lesson I am currently working through. And to be honest, it is hard. But yet I've noticed it never ceases to work well as after I stop and break, I get more done in the long run than if I tried to do it we Im tired. I encourage you to try this next time you get bogged down with life. God is our strength and our shield!

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

March Musings - Day 25

The more I think about Saturday the more I think of how important and awesome friends are. I truly am so blessed to have such amazing friends to surround myself with. Especially my fiance, She is such an encouragement to me whenever I need it. Today me and a few of my guy friends got together with my fiance Moriah and had just an awesome time. From just chatting to playing games we enjoyed each others company and man was it refreshing!

You know during times that I get a bunch of people together it reminds me how important friends are in life. True you could try to get through life alone but it is so much easier when you have others to help you and keep you going.

Also as i think more about it having a close group of friends around you is a great way to get stuff out. I know how obnoxious it is to hold in thoughts and emotions and having some close friends around to vent or talk to is such an incredible feeling. Especially if you have someone as close as a girlfriend or boyfriend then it seems almost sweeter in a way.

By, John Schairer

March Musings - Day 24

I went and saw this in theaters with John and Mom! Ahhhh I loved it! It was the first movie John and I have ever seen in a movie theater together! <3 What a good one to mark that occasion with! The showing we were going to see ended up being sold out, so we went to the late showing of it. We walked around downtown for a bit, and enjoyed the evening! It was chilly but beautiful out! <3 What a wonderful evening!

March Musings - Day 23

Things that make me smile:

Dressing up like a train conductor, and enjoying my storytime kids' fun with the wooden train tracks!

A perfect cup of tea to enjoy in the evening sun before all the snow melts!

A cup I need! ;~)

A cuddly cat companion!

Seeing Charlie become Mrs Charlie, a mother! XD

March Musings - Day 22

Observe

the textures and patterns of a skirt for a little girl

the afternoon light polishing pottery

the bakery case reflecting goodies you might not notice

a kitty's purrfect contentment

the geometry of shapes

the grooves and wear of a hardwood floor

(P.s. she got the polka dot one!)

March Musings - Day 21

"Why do you have a watch on your ankle?" has been the question I've gotten the past couple days.

Well, here's the answer:

I was having trouble remembering to pray. I wanted to pray, I needed to pray, but it never came to mind. So I put a watch on my ankle to remind me to:

"Watch for a time to pray!"

So whenever I feel it rubbing my ankle, or I brush up against it with my other foot, I pray for whatever comes to mind first. Or even say thank you for whatever comes to mind first! So far it's worked well, and it's definitely a good reminder to look for the times in which I can pray for those I care about, or even those I wouldn't normally pray for depending where I am.

Maybe you might want to try wearing a watch on your ankle?

March Musings - Day 20

I'm going to do something completely unlike myself and rave today about this app. I got it within the past couple weeks and I've enjoyed it so much! It's gotten me to think about verses I know well, and it's gotten me to think about verses I've never noticed before! It's great to read quick before work in the morning or late at night before bed. If you've been looking for a good devotional, the "Morning and Evening" devotional by Spurgeon comes highly recommended! (And there is the app with it for those who are technologically inclined!)

March Musings - Day 19

Another dancing season is done,

we made sure to have a lot of fun,

and while we became more skilled at our craft,

we also talked and plenty laughed.

Jigs and reels and ceilis too,

dancing together like glue,

learning quirks and treble steps,

sometimes it took a lot of pep (and prep!).

Bribing my teacher with Almond Joy,

dancing with both girl and boy,

we brought down the house with shows,

and with pride, my teacher glows! <3

March Musings - Day 18

(Photo credit: www.syracusewomanmag.com )

I want to highlight two things:

- Nancy is a wonderful owner! I was worn out and not feeling the greatest, and she sent me home from work. She looks out for the employees and cares about each one! Very proud to work for her!

- Please read the wonderful article that was written up about Bailiwick! She was featured in the Syracuse Woman Magazine! 

I love my job! <3

March Musings - Day 17

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” 

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

We had an unexpected treat as we went to one of the nursing homes, and they gave us lunch! Thank you!!! Twas truly unexpected!

March Musings - Day 16

Today was our "St Patrick's Day"!! We had a blast dancing at a couple schools and the mall! As you can see from the picture above, my friend Q. and I were laughing because of it! That and we were so tired we could barely dance, let alone breathe...but who needs to breathe???? ;) Anywho, we had a lot of fun. This year, my handsome fiance was my chauffeur while my family rode together. We definitely enjoyed talking about some really random things like church hierarchy. At the last show both my grandparents, and my "grandparents" (they are basically grandparents to us and we love them dearly!) came to see it, so it was nice to have someone special to dance for! Each of my sisters did a fantastic job, and I can't wait for the shows tomorrow!

March Musings - Day 15

They taught me a lesson in monopoly. I was home from work as we never opened due to the snowstorm, so we played Wizard of Oz monopoly simplified. L-Jo and T-Bug played the first round. Surprisingly, T-bug won! Her strategy was to buy only the properties she had her heart's desire for, and when all was said and done, she had the most cash, so we deemed her the winner! (It's easier to do it that way!)

The second time it was with T-Tot, and Lil' G. Lil' G won because she did an almost identical strategy to T-bug, and ended up with twice as much money as T-bug! ($2057!)

All in all, I have a new strategy for the next time I play monopoly.... We shall see if it works! Also, a cup of coffee with it helps. ;~)

Just remember, if you are playing monopoly, your cat will want some dominion as well in this. I call this photo: "Surveying his monopoly...."

March Musings - Day 14

What do you do when the night is bitterly cold?

You go to bed and sleep as soundly as gold.

March Musings - Day 13

The countdown is on! Only a couple more days until we dance! We had our rehearsal tonight for our shows, and a first happened to me. Now tradition states that I dance out of one of my ghillies at least once during St Patrick's Day performances. Not sure how, but it always manages to happen. Today during rehearsal, I one-upped myself! I managed to dance hard enough that my shoe laces became untied....

...then I proceeded to step on my shoelace and snap it completely! (You can see the knot I tied in the upper left corner!) I didn't know what had happened other than hearing a snap sound, so I kicked off my shoe and discovered at the end of the dance my lace had snapped. I'd say that's one for my books! ;~) Toes are tappin', wigs are curlin', girlies are dancin', and St Patrick's Day is almost here!!!

March Musings - Day 12

I saw the sweetest thing today, which made me think of the verse above:

(this happened at Church)

Momma came into the room to give her daughter a bracelet for Children's Church. As the little girl walked away, they began to pray to end Sunday School. Momma stayed on her knees where she had been in respect to the praying. The little girl saw that her Momma had stayed there on her knees so she came back and got down on her knees next to her Momma until the group had finished praying. When they did, she got up to join her friends before leaving for Sunday School. The little girl knew that Momma was praying along with the speaker. She showed respect to those around her by following her Momma's example. It was one of the sweetest things I have ever seen during Sunday School. For those of you parents raising kids in this day and age, don't give up hope! Continue to "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

(Proverbs 22:6 ESV)

March Musings - Day 11

Twinkling little fairy lights,

yellow, green, and blue, so bright,

remind a little girl at night,

that everything is alright.

Even as the light shadows dance.

the lights twinkle as in a trance,

there is a little tiny chance,

by the light the fairies prance!

March Musings - Day 10

A lot of musings on my mind today:

- Irish Step because we have a total of 8 shows next weekend! 5 with my dance troupe, and 3 with my sisters! It'll be busy, but a lot of fun! My mind couldn't stop mentally dancing earlier so I ended up doing some impromptu dancing in John's living room!

- John loves me! Haha, we already knew that, but he got corn muffins for me!!!!!!! I am seriously addicted to corn muffins....

- ...and while we are on the subject of food...Mom got coconut cake for snack tonight! *dies from happiness*

- My goodness the wind! It's so cold with it! I nearly blew away! ;~)

- And oh! I am hoping my friend likes their birthday present! I forgot to send it...so hopefully it still arrives in time, or pretty close to it!

Hmm.... I can't think of anything else.... Work is bright and early with the rooster, so my brain is fried. I'm going to get some sleep, and I shall have something interesting to write tomorrow!

March Musings - Day 9

I walked outside this evening, and the most refreshing cool air hit me. It washed over me like the moonlight shining through a cloudy sky.

I can sense in the air the coming of spring. The air feels lighter, different, and while it's still cold, it isn't the bitter winter cold. The moonlight is flooding every nook and cranny as if to say, don't lose hope! Spring is on it's way! Sunshine is coming! Sunshine and a warm day for a walk sounds absolutely wonderful, yet at the same time, snow and bitter cold do as well. I'm looking forward to clinging to the last fleeting days of this winter before embracing the warmth and rain of spring. I love each season, despite the rain or snow or shine. I love the moon, the way the cool beams flow over the shadowy trees and then arcs around as if to make a giant smile. I love the way the stars twinkle in the winter. Soon my favorite starry friends, the Pleiades, shall bid me adieu until next time. Yet in the spring, we can spread out a blanket and star gaze sans mosquitoes or picnic in the moonlight!

Two verses regarding the sky come to mind:

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."

Psalm 19:1 (ESV)

(The sky is so beautiful tonight!!)

"Like a moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies."

Psalm 89:37 (ESV)

(This verse always comes to mind when the moon is out and I'm with John...the first time he said I love you in person was under a golden moon...talk about sweetness!)

Enjoy the end of winter nights...soon they will be gone, so grab some cocoa and a good book, or popcorn and a movie. Soon the spring nights will be here, ready for walks and star gazing, campfires and smores!

March Musings - Day 8

I got Facebook yesterday....

Shocked most people that I finally did it...others rejoiced greatly!

I found friends I haven't seen or heard from in years, friends that I know from camp, church, work, dance, and more.

It's definitely proven to be interesting so far.

I shall have to update you on my adventures as the month progresses!

March Musings - Day 7

Sometimes it's too easy to look at the clouds ahead, the stop signs, the red lights, and just feel discouraged. It's hard to keep going when everything seems against you!

That's when you take time to stop, and look back on what God has done for you. <3

Don't get discouraged by the darkness ahead, travel in faith knowing God has you. He will see you through it to end! Count the many things He has done, and thank Him for it! There is a purpose for everything, and if you keep going, He rewards the faithful.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Hebrews 10:23

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfect of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:1-2

(I also highly encourage you to read Hebrews 11!)

Don't give up, weary traveler! God is with you!

March Musings - Day 6

11 days until St Patrick's day!!!! But since we are dancing on the 16th due to school conflicts, we have 10 more days!!! It's crazy!

So to get you all in the mood, and so you guys can join me in it, here are some videos John and I enjoyed last night! If you're not tapping your toes and dancing inside, watch them again or watch some more!!!

Siamsa is one of my favorites! We do our "Walls of Limerick" to it and it's a blast!

"Trading Taps" is a clever dance from "Riverdance"! It's a story of tap dancers vs. Irish steppers!

This I never saw before until yesterday! It's called "Reel Around the Sun" from "Riverdance on Ice"!

Enjoy!!! I hope you have fun tappin' your toes! :~D

(email readers will have to go to the blog to view the videos)

March Musings - Day 5

So I sat in on John's church's youth group today as he has been helping with it, and they were talking a bit about friendships. I got to thinking about my three closest friends so here they are:

Obviously, John is the first! He is steadfast, smart, silly, and stuck with me! Haha, but really, he is a great friend through and through. He's my sweetheart, my friend, my fiance, my confidante, my prayer partner...I could go on and on, but there isn't enough time so I shall say this: I really don't know what I'd do without him!

Heidi: I've known her the longest of these three. She's been a protective friend when I was younger, and the roles have reversed a lot as we've gotten older. She's good at giving advice and praying for me, and she knows a lot of my past struggles so that's helpful when something new or similar arises!

Emily: I haven't known her as long as Heidi, and probably a little longer than John but not much more. She's a great friend, loyal, and good at keeping secrets. She is always there to listen to you rant, and isn't afraid to rant at the same time about life. She listens, prays, and hears you out.

Each friend is different in their strengths and weaknesses, they know different aspects about me, and yet they all are very special to me. 

So when you three read this, know I love you!!! And I thank you for everything!!