Archive for ‘life’

August 27th, 2010

Gluten free and the end of the summer

by Becca

I went gluten-free two weeks ago. I wanted to know if gluten was the cause of my stomach problems so going gluten-free was the way to find out that didn’t mean a doctor visit and shelling out lots of money.

This weekend I will be eating gluten to see if it makes me feel sick and if it does, I will go back to gluten-free and if it doesn’t, I may be forced to eliminate dairy from my diet and see if that helps.

This week we are in Memphis to visit with family before going back to school next week. Monday we stayed with my parents and (briefly) saw my brother and his family. Tuesday we drove to Memphis and we will be here until Saturday. I haven’t been online much except to check my e-mail on my iPod so if you have noticed my disappearance, that is why. I haven’t slacked on my workouts either, I’ve been keeping with my schedule for the half marathon so that makes me happy. Saturday morning I am set to do 6 miles so we’ll see how it goes and if I’m dead for the ride back to the ‘boro. :)

I think this week is going by way too fast and it disappoints me that I am not enjoying it more seeing as how it’s my last week of freedom until, basically, December. I’m excited and nervous for the new semester, but mainly excited because I feel like I will finally be on my path to becoming a nurse again. I am not looking forward to burying myself in the books again, but hopefully this time around will be a tad easier and my schedule is a less busy so I’ll have more of a balance between studying and fun time. It will probably also help that we got rid of my biggest distraction: television. Ahem.

So, here is to a new chapter of our lives: Gray’s senior senior senior year and more nursing school.

CategoryNursing School, life | Comment2 Comments »

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August 26th, 2010

When good friends go bad

by Becca

This past week I closed the door on a friendship that began my freshman year of college. I’m not going to go into details here because I respect the privacy of the person, but I will say that I don’t actually care too much that it ended. Yes, I’m sad that the other person chose to close the door, but at least now I can move on with life and I think the past few years I’ve stopped caring about the friendship anyways and really, I just needed to say some things to them and move on. If only it were that easy for everyone, but it’s not and another friend of mine is still hurting from that same person.

The whole experience has taught me a lot about friendship, conflict, and resolution. I still have issues in some relationships because the other person can not handle conflict well. I’ve been through my share of fights, ask my husband or my best friend Trina and they will tell you that my relationship with both of them has not been sunshine and daisies the entire time… but whenever we have a fight, we usually resolve the conflict and move on. There is nothing in my friendship with Trina that bothers me, at least not at the moment… we are women after all. :)

The truth about friendship in my life is that I am usually burned by friends. I don’t let people in close for a while and then when I do, I feel so sad and rejected if they don’t stray true. Granted, I know that people are humans and won’t always stay true, but that doesn’t change the face that I will be hurt by them at some point in time. The friends that I find that are true I stick to like glue. heh I fight to keep those friendships and will work for them. Friendship is not just a one-sided street, after all, it takes two to keep one alive and as much as I like some people, I get tired of pursuing all the time.

Ironically, all of this friendship craziness comes days before Trina moves about 30 miles down the road from me, making seeing her a little more difficult than usual. I imagine I will probably only see her once a twice a month now with school/work starting back in schedule and of course, she will no longer be a five minute drive away. However, I am thankful for electronic devices because they allow us to keep in touch whether by e-mail, facebook, twitter, blogs, phone calls, or text messages. With all of these devices, I’m surprised the previously mentioned friendship failed. I guess some people just don’t want to make any effort to keep a long distance relationship alive, even if it’s just a facebook message every so often.

Alright, I’ll get off my soap box for the day. :)

CategoryPersonal, life | Comment6 Comments »

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August 15th, 2010

When it rains it pours

by Becca

Because that’s just how life seems sometimes.

Basically, we made it to August before having to spend money from savings. Over a week ago we had to fork over a lot of money for health insurance because ours expired at the very end of July. That wasn’t too horrible, but I knew in the back of my mind that this left us very little in our savings and usually that’s just an open door for more money troubles to come our way.

Ahem.

So Saturday morning, the morning of Teresa’s wedding, we are driving to run some errands… We are almost to Wal-mart and the truck starts acting stupid. We end up making it back to campus, where I was going to run, and Gray proceeds to call my brother and his dad. Thirty minutes later I’m halfway through my 4 mile run but decide to quit and we make it home. See, we were supposed to go to Teresa’s wedding Saturday afternoon and we had to make arrangements for Trina to come get us instead of meeting at her apartment. Stupid truck.

On the way to the wedding, Gray is talking to my brother and they work out a deal on a car my brother has. For only $300 he will fix it up for us and get it running. There goes our savings. The next day we wired the money to him and got a friend to take us to Wal-mart where we bought a bike for me.

Monday morning we leave the house at 5:30 on said bikes and ride all the way to campus. I complained the first few minutes about the bike seat and the fact that I was sweating… AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING. When we got to school, I mapped the route out on dailymile.com and yes… 2 miles and some change… crazy. I can see how it’s a good workout and better for us, but it’s just so humid and hot outside that it’s torture!

We rode our bikes to work for the entire week and I must say, it ended up being alright. I did trade with Gray and used his bike until Thursday when we got me a new bike seat. However, that was rather rough and we ended up returning my bike and got another one, similar to what Gray already had. I rode it on Friday and was well pleased, haha.

We do have the car and it works, but has the “check engine” light on… and that is a whole spew of problems in itself. We’re taking it in tomorrow to be looked at because the tags expire in September and apparently the car will automatically fail the emissions test if the light is on, regardless of whether or not it’s an actual emissions problem… great, I know. The car itself is not worth putting a lot of work into it so I imagine that if it’s too much money we might just sell it back to my brother because he can use it back home without passing an emissions test. ugh I hate grown up problems.

We’re actually starting to shop around for another car because that was what the plan was for this fall, get me a car so that I can drive to clinicals in the spring.

So yeah, a lot is going on and to top it all off I have a dentist appointment on Tuesday that I might have to cancel. My eye twitch has returned, I’m pretty sure it is stress related and so I need to work on getting rid of all this stress in a better way.

CategoryNursing School, exercise, life | CommentNo Comments »

August 14th, 2010

These are the Moments

by Becca

Last Saturday, in the midst of car troubles, Gray and I went to Teresa’s wedding. Teresa was my RA (Resident Assistant) my Sophomore year in college and she was also my bible study leader that year.

The first time I met Teresa was after a very long car ride with my parents. I walked inside the lobby of Wood/Felder and was greeted by Teresa, with a smile and well, extreme happiness. I was very overwhelmed by her presence and joy and thought to myself, “Wow, she is happy!” My mother even made a comment on how happy she was, which is saying a lot because those of you who know my mother well, know she is just a happy person.

Later that day… or the next day, it’s kind of fuzzy now, I was leaving my dorm room when Teresa stopped me and introduced me to Trina, who is was diagonally across the hall. I remember Trina and I were both hesitant because we didn’t know each other, but it is kind of funny to look back on my memories to that moment.

Teresa went out of her way to get to know me. Somehow she talked to my roommate, Mandy, and discovered we would both be interested in a bible study. I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t that into it back then… and we (Mandy and I) forced each other to go to the first meeting. It turned out that Trina was there, along with Shellie, Candi, Amy, and Shannon. Apparently my first impression of the group was good because I kept going… and something happened…. I grew in my faith.

Sophomore year was my renewal in many ways and when I look back, I am extremely thankful that Teresa was there. Even though I grew up in church, it took a sweet girl like her to show me what it truly meant to walk in Christ and I will never forget her and what it all meant to me. She inspired me so much that I became a RA for the next two years because I wanted to make an impact on my residents. I know I was far from the example she set forth, but I can rest easy knowing that I did have an impact on some of mine.

I cried at her wedding. It wasn’t a blubbering by any means, I just teared up but it was just so nice to see her finally so happy. There is so much more I could say, but for now, this is all.

Teresa and I.

CategoryFaith, college, life | CommentNo Comments »

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August 6th, 2010

I could tell you

by Becca

I could tell you about how I ran into a tree the other day (walking) while reading a text message from Trina.

I could also talk about how I paid money to run The Middle Half in October, and I’m officially training for it.

I could even talk about how the lady who made such a difference in college (for me) is getting married tomorrow.

There is also the deal with my health, trying to figure out why exactly is wrong with my digestive tract. I don’t have insurance that will cover a doctor’s visit, so here I am trying to eliminate possibilities by trying some gluten-free food. I’m actually pretty sure my entire problems stem from something I’ve always had, but could just be a symptom of something more serious.

We signed a new lease this past week, one that will run out at the end of next May. By then Gray should have graduated and we’ll have a plan of action, hopefully, even if it just means staying where we are for longer. I highly doubt we’ll be moving in May, unless it is closer to Nashville for a job.

I hope to have a giveaway soon, but I promise it won’t be sponsored, instead, it will be something I’ve created. :)

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July 29th, 2010

Comcast, AT&T, and headbands.

by Becca

So we don’t have cable/internet currently. Yesterday Gray and I decided to call Comcast about cutting off our cable and he asked what our options were to keep the internet with them. It would be over $60 starting in September to keep cable internet and I told him it was too much. AT&T currently has a deal for 12 months to pay around $35 and then it will go up to $50 at the end of a year. Yes, they only offer DSL, but we were hoping to switch to the AT&T U-verse cable when it became available to our area of town.

Well, after canceling with Comcast (which we loved, just not their prices), we headed over to AT&T to sign up for their DSL. After what seemed like forever it was discovered that the wiring of our apartment building needed upgrading and so it will be a week, maybe longer before it will be offiicially hooked up for us. This means not internet at home until then. I think this is a good thing for us because so often the internet gets in the way of us spending time together. Gray and I are both constantly connected and now he’ll only be able to check his e-mail via the iPhone and I will be reading more. I even pulled out the Wii Fit yesterday and used it! Granted, I used it a few days ago because I bought myself the new Wii Fit Plus disc and now I’m addicted to juggling, seriously.

Anyway, I think it will be a nice break for us and I’m hoping to get a lot done at home, mainly reading the huge stack of books that I’ve been meaning to! I finished “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter” yesterday and now I’m working on “Anne of Ingleside” and “Twilight,” for the second time. Yes, Twilight again, because I’m reading through the series again. heh

In other news, I’m going shopping with Trina this afternoon and I’m already making a list in my head of things to buy. For one: new nail polish but the old bottle is seriously almost dry. Two: some new Old Navy camis. I have a coupon to get five for $2 each, today through Sunday and yes, I am getting all five, different colors. I hope they are well stocked! It’s been nice to think about finally indulging myself, like I talked about yesterday with the nail salon coupon. I’m very picky how I spend the money, but I’ve noticed it’s been more on girlie items like a new purse, headband, and of course, the nail salon services. I guess when I have money, I choose to be pampered!

On a side note: I’m going to dust off the review blog soon for some books I’m reading, but I might also post a few movie reviews. I just saw “Percy Jackson…” and it was pretty good! Watching “The Visitor” right now and enjoying it as well.

Categoryexercise, life | Comment4 Comments »

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July 28th, 2010

Birthday Monies

by Becca

So Monday was my birthday and for the first time in a few years I am able to spend my birthday money on myself instead of bills. I lay next to Gray yesterday afternoon and ranted to him about how I couldn’t part with the money. I had gone through a list in my head of things to purchase and nothing was sounding worth the money, well except for an eyebrow wax because it’s the one thing I get “done” by professionals.

I suggested we go get the eyebrow wax done at JC Penny’s because I’d been there before and trust them to do a good job. One hour later I left satisfied and decided, “Hey let’s go to Forever 21 and I can get a headband!” I left the store with a headband AND a new purse. My old one was showing wear and tear and it was a cheap, Target purse.

This morning I got an e-mail from Groupon stating that today’s deal was pay $20 but get $40 worth of nail services at a spa in Green Hills (an uppity Nashville suburb). I had wanted a pedicure for ages and well, a mani-pedi with them is $40 so I just went ahead and bought it. I’m rather nervous about going to Green Hills to get it done because they are uppity, so I’ll have to not look like the cat drug me in, but I’ll go… because I am worth it. :)

So yes I have spent about half of my birthday money now, but I feel like my choices have been good ones and I don’t indulge that often so it’s nice to treat myself once in a while… thanks mom and dad and Cathy and Grady (for the money and the earrings!)… :)

While I was getting my eyebrows waxed the woman kept complimenting them and saying how pretty they were. I was just agreeing with her and then she asked if I’d ever gotten them threaded. The brochure they have said that certain salons may offer threading and inquired about it but it was not available. Well, the woman who asked me told me not to get it done because it was awful, hurt a lot, and she was still growing back her eyebrows! It was so weird because Gray’s cousin Rachel (in Florida) was talking about it at the reunion last month and she loves the threading process and says it doesn’t hurt, compared to waxing. So totally opposite viewpoints. I’m wondering if this woman had a bad experience but overall threading is good? I don’t know, but I’m OK with waxing, it doesn’t really bother me for more than five-minutes after.

I did notice they offer other waxing options. I’ve considered waxing certain areas but they didn’t offer that there and well, I didn’t figure they would. There is a full body wax shop near the Rutherford Wal-mart in town that I might visit, but not anytime soon. They problem with waxing is that it doesn’t last long and I don’t want to continually fork over money for something I can shave for a cheaper price. It would be nice before a vacation, but other than that, not a necessity.

In other news, my social life is starting to pick up again. We’re going to Memphis for the weekend, followed by a Harry Potter movie night, a community group gathering, and then Teresa’s wedding. There is more to come after the wedding, but that’s more than I have been used to doing this summer.

We also decided to cancel our cable. The price is going up in September and although I do love my dvr and watching these shows, I can watch them online for free, I already do that for True Blood. Plus, with the fall coming soon it will mean that I won’t have time to watch TV live with school stuff going on. I haven’t been watching many of my shows live and so it really seems pointless to pay for cable that I can watch online the next day. We will still keep our netflix and some shows are on there under watch instantly. I have at least ten seasons of shows queued and I figure those will keep me busy, plus Gray and I want to catch up on Mad Men and maybe Dexter.

Categorylife | Comment4 Comments »

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July 26th, 2010

A Quarter of a Century

by Becca

Today I am 25 years old, although more specifically: I will be 25 at 4:28 p.m.

I was actually due in August, but being that my mother was 38 when she was pregnant/had me, the pregnancy was a high-risk one and her ob. monitored the situation enough to know that it was better if I came a little early. This might have also had something to do with the fact that my sister was six weeks late and my brother was four weeks late. Yes, my poor mother.

So, on July 26, 1985 my mother was scheduled to be induced, but… surprise, surprise… when she got there, she was already in labor. Folks, I don’t like being told what to do and obviously like to do things my own way.

So today I mourn the loss of my younger 20′s. I’m officially in a new category for age as they tell me on pretty much every website that asks of my age. I’m officially an adult.

I am celebrating tonight out with my husband and best friend, WOOT! I’m thankful for the past 25 years of life and very soon will share what I hope to accomplish over the next year. :)

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July 22nd, 2010

Locks of Love

by Becca

I cut my hair off July 9th. It was a sort of spur of the moment decision, as no one knew at all I planned to do it. Well, except Gray, and my boss because I told her right before I left to get it cut.

I really love it, it’s nice to have shorter hair, although I don’t think it really looks that great on me, it’s a convenience thing. However, it is like Anne’s hair in the movie Anne of Green Gables, once she died her hair black and it was awful, that is.

So for now, it looks like this:

July 11 - Key Lime Pie Yogurt!

Categorylife | Comment10 Comments »

July 21st, 2010

Smoky Mountains Family Reunion

by Becca

Hi. It’s been a few weeks since I promised the vacation blogs, so here goes nothing!

On Saturday, the 26th of June we went on vacation to the Smokies with Gray’s maternal family, the Locketts. There were 21 people there including: 2 grandparents, 3 adult children and their 3 spouses. 7 grandchildren with two spouses, a girlfriend, and two grandchildren. Missing were 1 grandchild and 2 grandchildren spouses. Below are pictures, because I am just plain lazy.

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Click on through to see more. I will try to organize them a.s.a.p., but considering it took almost a month to get this up, hah, it probably won’t happen anytime soon.

Categoryfamily, life, photos | CommentNo Comments »

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