Sunday, June 16, 2013
Summer Project: researching saddle repair
One evening, I was at my mom's house. My step-dad, Jeff, made the comment he had something old for me. He went to the storage shed behind the garage and came back a few moments later with an old, worn out saddle. He and his brother had been cleaning out their dad's sheds and found this saddle. Jeff said it had no family ties or family history. It was mine if I wanted to take the time to figure out how to clean it up, fix it up and either keep it or sell it when I was done. Granted, knowing nothing on how to repair a saddle, I'm taking the time to research how much I can do myself and getting help when there's something I'm unable to do. I'm excited to take on the task of fixing up this saddle. I'm going to be taking pictures as I go. (Pictures to come)
Saturday, February 23, 2013
It's been over a year since I last posted anything. I have lost about 30 lbs and would still like to lose another 15-20 lbs. In August, I moved to a different town for 6 months and met some wonderful people. I even made friends with a few South Africans (who happened to be married to some of my friends) and I was able to learn some of their language. I plan on furthering my learning of Afrikaans because not only do I find it interesting, but then I can be able to talk with my South African friends in their language and not just in English.
This past year, I also learned how to be a stronger, tougher, and wiser person. A guy I dated treated me like I was nothing. He made me feel so small and insignificant. To him, I could never do anything right. Many times, the way he said things was almost so subtle that I missed it or if I had caught what he meant, I wasn't sure if others heard. I was starting to feel like I was going crazy. On the night of my 30th birthday, I had invited my family and a few close friends over to my mom's house. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves from what I could tell. My family and friends were picking up on some of the things he was saying to me, and they didn't like how I was being treated. Towards the end of the evening, something changed. The guy I was dating decided out of the blue that he and my out of town friends needed to leave. He told me I made him look bad in front of my parents after we left. The next day when I asked my parents about it, they said he had made his own self look bad.
It took me about another 4 months or so to finally end the relationship entirely and cut off all ties. I remember telling friends to never put up with an abusive person, whether it was physical, mental, emotional, or otherwise. But here I was going back over and over several times. I am thankful I finally got the common sense God intended me to have to get out of it. Ladies, if you are ever in a relationship with a guy and your family is telling you to get out of it because of the way he treats you, please listen to them.
This past year, I also learned how to be a stronger, tougher, and wiser person. A guy I dated treated me like I was nothing. He made me feel so small and insignificant. To him, I could never do anything right. Many times, the way he said things was almost so subtle that I missed it or if I had caught what he meant, I wasn't sure if others heard. I was starting to feel like I was going crazy. On the night of my 30th birthday, I had invited my family and a few close friends over to my mom's house. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves from what I could tell. My family and friends were picking up on some of the things he was saying to me, and they didn't like how I was being treated. Towards the end of the evening, something changed. The guy I was dating decided out of the blue that he and my out of town friends needed to leave. He told me I made him look bad in front of my parents after we left. The next day when I asked my parents about it, they said he had made his own self look bad.
It took me about another 4 months or so to finally end the relationship entirely and cut off all ties. I remember telling friends to never put up with an abusive person, whether it was physical, mental, emotional, or otherwise. But here I was going back over and over several times. I am thankful I finally got the common sense God intended me to have to get out of it. Ladies, if you are ever in a relationship with a guy and your family is telling you to get out of it because of the way he treats you, please listen to them.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Weight...
My goal for the year, or at least by my 30th bithday in August, I want to lose about 40 pounds. By doing so, this would put put me where I was when I graduated high school. It is hard and easy task to do. I lost 11 pounds but I gained 3 back. Now I'm trying to work it off. I've been trying to eat better and eat less (I'm. not starving myself. I used to eat A LOT). I realized I didn't have to entirely give up everything I liked to eat, but to just make better choices for myself. Somedays are really easy and there are days its really hard. I do keep track of what Iat and how imuch and I also keep track of when I exercise and how long. My mom, sister and brother have all been amazing in cheering me in in my weight loss journey!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Too Cute
On Wednesday nights, I met with a small group of friends. Last night when I got to group, my friends almost six year-old daughter was standing in the hallway looking through some drawers. She showed me some stick on earrings she had found and let me pick the ones that I wanted. Looking through the drawer again, she found container of water color paint and told me that she gets to paint in school. I asked her what she paints, and she said "lots of things." She proceeds to tell me that "when she gets older, she's going to go to college and become a veterinarian." I asked her what kind of animals she wanted to take care of. She said, "Dogs, cats, and kitties. Those kind of things." I told her I thought that was pretty cool. She then asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and if I was going to go to college. I told her I had already been to college. She said that was cool and then ran off to find her brother. I told her mom and grandma about our little conversation and they had a pretty good laugh...
What a Slacker...
So I've been slacking on writing about the letters to my mom. Everyday when I get up, I call her and ask about the note for the day. So far, she is seeming to enjoy them, which is obviously a good thing because it took a veeeerrrryyyyy long time to write all of those notes/letters.
She's opened several lately from family and she has liked those. Last Monday, there was the one from her friend Jane telling my mom to call her. Without realizing, I had put the note on a day when Jane is off from work and made it easier for them to get in contact. This past Sunday was a note from my grandma telling mom hi and to think of her. My grandma is so cute. Back in December when I had gotten her note in the mail, I called to tell her thank you. So mentioned she hoped it was what I was looking for because she wasn't sure what to write. I told her the note was absolutely perfect and that my mom would love it.
About a week or so ago, my mom and Jeff came over to my house for chili and cinnamon rolls with my brother and me. It was fun and we were all stuffed by the time they left. I miss having the family dinners with my family. Maybe that's why I started cooking so much lately. Even if it's just Adam and myself, it's better than eating alone all of the time.
Today's note for my mom I knew she would love. Today is national popcorn day. My mom will make two big bowls and popcorn, keep one bowl for herself and the other bowl is for everyone else to split. So in honor of National Popcorn Day, we are setting up a time to watch a movie and eat a lot of popcorn!
She's opened several lately from family and she has liked those. Last Monday, there was the one from her friend Jane telling my mom to call her. Without realizing, I had put the note on a day when Jane is off from work and made it easier for them to get in contact. This past Sunday was a note from my grandma telling mom hi and to think of her. My grandma is so cute. Back in December when I had gotten her note in the mail, I called to tell her thank you. So mentioned she hoped it was what I was looking for because she wasn't sure what to write. I told her the note was absolutely perfect and that my mom would love it.
About a week or so ago, my mom and Jeff came over to my house for chili and cinnamon rolls with my brother and me. It was fun and we were all stuffed by the time they left. I miss having the family dinners with my family. Maybe that's why I started cooking so much lately. Even if it's just Adam and myself, it's better than eating alone all of the time.
Today's note for my mom I knew she would love. Today is national popcorn day. My mom will make two big bowls and popcorn, keep one bowl for herself and the other bowl is for everyone else to split. So in honor of National Popcorn Day, we are setting up a time to watch a movie and eat a lot of popcorn!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Another Day...A few more letters
So my mom has opened a few more letters. She still seems pretty excited to see what is in the envelope each day, which I guess is a good thing... Here are a few more letters wrote for my mom...
January 2, 2012
"I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being." -Hafiz of Persia
There are so many times I do not notice my talents or what I'm good at. Or there are many times that I take them for granted. God gave us all an amazing talent to use. When I'm feeling all alone or like I am not worth it, there is usually someone who points out to me how valuable I am. In high school and college, thank you for supporting my talent and my loves in life. Love, Ab
January 3, 2012
"I'm glad that I paid so little attention to good advice; had I abided by it I might have been saved from some of my most valuable mistakes." -Edna St. Vincent Millay
You have always wanted us to learn from your mistakes. But without realizing it, you were telling us and letting us make our own mistakes and learn from them. I do not regret any of my mistakes because they have helped shape me into who I am today. Love, A
January 2, 2012
"I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being." -Hafiz of Persia
There are so many times I do not notice my talents or what I'm good at. Or there are many times that I take them for granted. God gave us all an amazing talent to use. When I'm feeling all alone or like I am not worth it, there is usually someone who points out to me how valuable I am. In high school and college, thank you for supporting my talent and my loves in life. Love, Ab
January 3, 2012
"I'm glad that I paid so little attention to good advice; had I abided by it I might have been saved from some of my most valuable mistakes." -Edna St. Vincent Millay
You have always wanted us to learn from your mistakes. But without realizing it, you were telling us and letting us make our own mistakes and learn from them. I do not regret any of my mistakes because they have helped shape me into who I am today. Love, A
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A Year of Letters
First off, Happy New Year!
A week ago for Christmas, I gave my mom a box full of letters; one for her to open each day of 2012 (366 to be exact--it's a leap year). I spent about a month writing notes and letters and contacting family and some of her friends to see if they'd write something too.
My sister wrote something and one of my brothers did six funny little notes. I was so glad that some of her closest friends were able to contribute as well.
Her first note:
Happy New Year! This year will be a big year for both of us. You'll be turning "50" and I'll be turning "30". It's crazy how time seems to fly. There are days I wish I could go back to being a little kid and not to have a worry in the world. I love you and I hope you enjoy my letters for the year.
"We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving and we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing." Louisa May Alcott
I really do hope she enjoys the rest of her letters and the things we'll get to do. Maybe we'll even learn something about the other that we didn't know before. I hope to do an update at least once or twice a week with what we're doing. Hopefully throw a few pictures in as well!
A week ago for Christmas, I gave my mom a box full of letters; one for her to open each day of 2012 (366 to be exact--it's a leap year). I spent about a month writing notes and letters and contacting family and some of her friends to see if they'd write something too.
My sister wrote something and one of my brothers did six funny little notes. I was so glad that some of her closest friends were able to contribute as well.
Her first note:
Happy New Year! This year will be a big year for both of us. You'll be turning "50" and I'll be turning "30". It's crazy how time seems to fly. There are days I wish I could go back to being a little kid and not to have a worry in the world. I love you and I hope you enjoy my letters for the year.
"We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving and we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing." Louisa May Alcott
I really do hope she enjoys the rest of her letters and the things we'll get to do. Maybe we'll even learn something about the other that we didn't know before. I hope to do an update at least once or twice a week with what we're doing. Hopefully throw a few pictures in as well!
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