Book Worm Sighting

Hi all.

I've been getting that itch to start a new book. 

I'm currently two thirds of the way through The Hunger Games series for the second time.  I read it once after Christmas, but it's so good that I really rushed through it and in the process forgot a bunch.  So after rereading Mockingjay, I'm ready for something new.

Unfortunately, I did not bring Mockingjay to Chicago with me.  Oops.  I've been trying to find something to read in the meantime.  The other day when we were in the library, I saw one of the books from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series.  I just checked and it is now missing from the spot on the shelf in which I found it, but someday soon, I will find it and have Jered check it out for me because I've really wanted to read those.

I only brought a handful of books with me.  Mostly because there's only a handful that I own that I haven't read yet.  I have my Jane Austen novels, but I don't really feel like traipsing around in one of her worlds right now. 

I pulled The Faerie Queene off my shelf yesterday.  Maybe you, like Jered, are asking "Why do you have The Faerie Queene?!"  I'll tell you:  Have you read any of it before??  It's a pretty crazy story.  Complete with dragons, witches, and a knight I believe.  We read a Canto in Dr. Graddy's Renaissance Lit class, and I decided I wanted to own an old copy of it and read it all someday.  Obviously, that day has not come yet, but I do own the book.  I want to have something challenging to read.  I guess that part of me really does miss school and the way it pushes you.  However, I haven't been able to pull myself into that one yet either.

Have you seen this eCard before?

I think I have this problem.  I get so caught up in whatever book or series I am reading that the idea of something else being able to compare in reading value seems laughable.  Also,  I think this might have something to do with my problem:

Ok, this picture is kind of goofy, but the caption I found it with said, "I am in love with my book's characters."  It's so true!  I believe yet another Pin says that one "nerdy girl problem" is that you can't cope with the idea that your book's characters are fictional.  I guess that's the sign of a really good book.  It makes you relate to the characters.  

Yesterday Jered bought Ted Dekker's The Bride Collector from the library for a dollar.  Yes, one dolla!  It looks creepy, but Ted Dekker has not steered me wrong yet.  I think that will be coming up soon on my to read list.  

I guess I'm picky too.  That could be the problem.  So, if you know of any thriller, action, mystery, maybe somewhat sci-fi books or series that you've liked, please let me know.  Kthanks.

Well, I guess that's really all I have to say today.  Other than the fact that Jered and I bought fabric today, and I'm going to attempt to make curtains for the apartment!  Yikes!  More on that later, I'm sure.

Later!

Aim

The First Week

Hi guys.

So, several of you have most likely heard some of these stories already, but lest they be forgotten, I'm writing about them now.

Have a laugh.  At our expense.

It was August 11, 2012.  That's right- our wedding day.  Jered and I were driving to Peoria for a night at the Mark Twain Hotel.  (The hotel was awesome by the way.  Awesome.  Highly recommended.)

Jered and I had decided our phones would be turned off for the honeymoon, so I reached down to turn mine off and checked the flashing text message.  It was from Dad.  It read: "Jered left his wallet on the coffee table."

Let me remind you- we were halfway to Peoria.  On our wedding night.  Laugh away.

So, one U-turn and a tense drive back to Canton later, Jered picked up his wallet from the hotel where our family and friends were.  We went through the Burger King drive through and witnessed a significant improvement in our moods since we hadn't eaten much that day.  Then we headed back to Peoria.

Fast forward to the next day.  We had a lovely morning, shopping for some dressier clothes for Jered and eating a tasty lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings.  (While we were there, we discovered this awesome "sport" in the Olympics.  It was like gymnastics, but they danced and through balls around.  I don't know what it was called, but it was fascinating! Really!)

From Peoria, we took off for the apartment.  A few hours later, when we had about 15 minutes left of our drive, I jokingly asked Jered if he had his apartment keys.  His head dropped back in disbelief.

Laugh away.  Please.

I did.  I laughed.  Unbelievable.  How did this happen??  Well, let me tell you.  Jered's apartment keys were attached to Jeremy's car keys, which were either in Canton or Cissna Park.  Hahahaha.  I feel like this doesn't happen to other people.

Let's add to this story of good luck:  the land lady was in Indiana.  We had to rent a scummy, smoking hotel room in the city that cost way more than it was worth.  Jered had to drive to Jeremy and Kelly's that night to get the keys and came back to pick me up around 11:30.  Then we went to the apartment to pack our bags for the next day.

Have no fear though.  We had an amazing honeymoon.  Jered went way above and beyond what I expected.  We were checked in as "VIPs" and were welcomed with a "Happy Honeymoon" sign on our door.


We were basically beach and pool bums the whole time.  And of course Jered went searching for creatures daily. 



I went out with him a few times and he carried me out over the rocks so I wouldn't hurt my feet.  He even held my hand the whole time on the first day we went snorkeling.  He's awful sweet.


Our room was unbelievable.  We enjoyed 24 hour room service.  Jered brushed up on his Spanish.  We were basically waited on, hand and foot, all week.  The food was awesome!  I had fresh fish fillets almost every day.  Delish.  And the desserts?  Don't even get me started.


Well, in short, after a ridiculous first two days, I was treated to a wonderful vacation by my fantastic husband.  Are you tired of my gushing yet?  Too bad.  Get used to it for awhile.



"Peace and Blessin's.  Peeace and Blessin's."

Aim

The Build Up

Hello again.

Yes, you guessed it.  We're in the library yet again.  I'm starting to think I could write a book in here this year.  Either that, or read the whole library.  Hmm... 

Well, as promised, here are some photos of the months, weeks, and days leading up to the wedding, and the greatly understated "Thank you" to all those who helped me out along the way.

First, after much deliberation, I decided to go with a really neutral scheme for the wedding.  Something simple... maybe rustic if you want to label it that.  Naturally, I was quite anxious to get started, so right away in January, we went to work on creating our bouquets and boutonnieres.

 

The top right belonged to one of the bridesmaids.  The boutonniere on the right was Jered's.  The rest didn't have the little white puff balls in them.  Jered wanted his to look special, and I agreed whole-heartedly that it should.  The lower bouquet was mine.  I think my favorite part was the pine cone-looking things we found for it.  This shot on the right:  just a tiny look at how our house looked for about 6 months.  I only wish I had gotten a picture of our dining room during those last few weeks...



Next stop: Dress shopping!

My momma, my sister, and my may-as-well-be-a-sister, went with me to find the perfect dress.  I thought this was going to be a blast.  But "Saying Yes to the Dress"- not as much fun as it sounds.  I had a lovely day with my family, but I basically just felt like a little girl playing dress up.  Although- I did have a moment when I first tried on a veil with the dress I liked.  That was the clincher.  I finally felt bridal.  And to my surprise, I found my dress.  It was the complete opposite of what I had wanted.

I don't know how I don't have any pictures of these, but Sheri was wonderful and donated a ton of mason jars for our decorating needs.  Mom washed all of them and decorated them with raffia, hemp, and jute.  Katie and I found some great potpourri to use as fillers in some of them.  We also used a bunch for candles, and later wildflowers.

The flower girl dresses were courtesy of my wonderful mother.  I originally wanted to make them myself.  I chose all the fabric and ribbon and then never made it passed that step.  Ok, I almost did.  Mom started to help me sew them.  I had to rip out everything I did on them, so she graciously stepped in and took control of the project.  And I'm so glad she did because they looked adorable.  Oh- I can take credit for the headbands!

 



So what did we do the week of the wedding?  Blew up balloons... Lots and lots of balloons.  About 500 to be exact.  Big shout out here to Jessa, Katie, Tita, and especially Mom, who seemed to have the most hot air in the house.  

As you can see, our house was slightly uncomfortable during that last week.  Just not very practically for six people to be living there during that time.

We way over did it on programs.  Completely overshot that somehow.  Oh well.  Thanks to our assembly line tactics, Katie, Jessica, Mom, and I had them finished in no time just a couple days before the wedding.     

Mom and Grandpa picked all these wildflowers out at The Farm the Thursday before the wedding.  Grandpa also cut all the wood stumps we used for the table centerpieces.

I don't really like corsages, so I searched Pinterest for some alternatives and found something similar to this.  So Katie and I went to Michael's and bought a big container of pearl beads and flower barrettes and made these bracelets instead.




 

And then came the big day of decorating.  A HUGE thank you to all of those who helped.  I came downstairs to find Uncle Donny parked in the front yard, ready and willing to transport balloons to the reception hall... on his birthday.  Jessica, Abbey, Rebekah, Mary Beth, Sheri,Marian, Grandma, Grandpa, Molly, Jake, Katie, Mom, and Dad- please don't think ill of me if I forgot someone- I was so overwhelmed by everyone who came to help!  I felt so loved.


Whew! So there it is.  And that's really just decorating preparations.  That doesn't even take into account everything else that went into it.  But we'll get there. Still many more thank you's to be said. 

Well, my husband and I are getting hungry.  He's going to make hamburgers on our little grill tonight. Yum!

Later!
Aim

Success!

Hiya!

Two days in a row?  Yes, that's right, and I'll tell you why:  I'm back in the library with my husband so I currently have Internet access and no homework.  (Yes, I will probably be calling him my husband for a while still, and yes, I realize I technically have the homework of finding a job, but I'll do that in a bit.)

Jered had his first day of school of the fall semester.  I was going to have a first day of school picture for you, buuuut, I forgot my camera at Jeffrey Lanes when we went bowling this weekend... I'm hoping a small establishment like that will have a lost and found...

Anyway, he looked darling heading off to class.  Since we still aren't entirely settled, and I'd rather wait for Jered to help me get acquainted with the area before I start walking all around, I decided to clean and organize some more.  So, for seven hours, I cleaned, I went through clothes, I found ways to store things, I cleaned the kitchen, I vacuumed again, and I made my first dinner.

I know what you're thinking. "You've been married for two weeks, and you are just now making dinner for the first time?"

Well, our first week was honeymoon-no cooking-heaven.  (More on that later.)  Then we've gone to both of our parents' houses and just haven't been settled enough to make a dinner in between all of that.  So yes, today I made our first dinner.

We had chicken and pasta with Alfredo sauce.  We had salad, toast (courtesy de Jered), and some clementines.  I set the little table, lit candles, and even had it ready to go on the table as soon as Jered walked in the door.  Of course, we only have one chair, so the table was positioned between the chair and the futon, so I was a little short next to the table, but all in all, I was pleased with the results- especially when Jered told me he liked it. Woo hoo!

I was going to have pictures of our meal, and our cleaned and spruced up apartment, but we all know that's not going to happen for awhile.

Well, that's all for now folks.

Goodnight!
Aim

Officially a Flinkwoman

Hello friend!

Such an exciting time the last few weeks have been!  I still feel like I am absorbing everything that has happened.  With that in mind, I'll just tell you that I'm probably going to write to you about wedding preparations, festivities, funny stories, our honeymoon, and settling into our apartment in several installments.

For now, I can cheerfully tell you that 2 weeks ago, yesterday- I married my best friend and love of my life.  And it was fantastic.













He looked quite dashing as you can see. 

Since we started planning the wedding, ok- let's be honest, since marriage has been in the picture for Jered and me, I've dreamed about how his face would look when I walked down the aisle.  I wasn't disappointed.  It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.







Well, for now friends, that's all there is.  You see, I'm sitting with my husband in his school library, and he's getting antsy to go home.  To our home.  I like the sound of that.

Talk to you later,
Aim

Living in Limbo

Hello,

I'm sitting here, writing on my Friday night because I am too exhausted to do anything else.  Katie and I have been working all day.  Soon, I will be able to show you pictures, but not yet, as I found my mom is still getting online even though she is supposed to be on vacation.

Our house continues to exist in varying stages of disarray.  We can't seem to get it neat enough due to our upcoming nuptials. Boxes and boxes of wedding stuff are everywhere.  Our dining room table has been inaccessible for weeks now.  Dresses and flowers and candles and jars and photos litter the whole downstairs.

And then there's my room.  In a feeble attempt to make it more manageable, I've repeatedly gone through our gifts trying to organize and condense everything to make for easy packing.  The room still retains my messy, lived-in feel, and yet is not practical for living.  At all.  Not only is it more cramped because of the extra baskets and bins full of our new supplies for the apartment, but my own personal belongings are beginning to be boxed up as well.  So I am finding myself having to dig through boxes to find things I still find myself needing.

I almost feel a sense of homelessness right now.  Displaced.  I'm here, but my stuff is preparing to leave and has nowhere to go for another week.  Does that make sense?

And then there's the emotional limbo.  The readiness to get out of the house is met with a sadness to leave my lifelong home and all the comforts it provides.  The trepidation of moving into a tiny apartment that needs to work like Mary Poppins' carpet bag to hold all of our belongings meets the genuine excitement of starting a whole new life with my best friend.

Well, I've put about all the effort I can muster into writing this little bit tonight.  So, I'm going to find out what movie Kate wants to watch, pop some popcorn, and relax for the rest of the evening!

Goodnight!

Aim*

Grace

Hello friends.  It's been a long time. Way too long.  I'm not sure how that happened... I've had so much to talk about too...

Bear with me... It might get lengthy here...

First off, let me fill you in: Tuesday was my last day at work.  I went back to visit today, and will be going back tomorrow for lunch.  To say I'm sad to go is a gross understatement.  I will miss everyone there tremendously.  Also, after talking to Rob, I mean Dr. Bobell today, I've decided that one day, I will write a post of all the ocular health knowledge I've gained. 

Second, Katie and I have spent the last couple days running wedding errands and starting projects at home while Mom and Dad are away.  Pictures of those to come later!  Can't ruin the surprise, can we?

Speaking of WEDDING!  This weekend, one of my favorite couples are tying the knot. Pallory.  You remember them, of course.  I'm sure I'll have an update on how that goes later.  And then... drum roll please....................... I'm getting married next weekend!!  Words cannot describe, so I'm not going to try.

   

You all know the sappy part of my excitement, and let's face it- it's not really necessary for me to talk about that in detail.  But next weekend will also bring friends I haven't seen in months, and even years.  I may just cry.  It's been since graduation that I've seen some of them.

Well, maybe I should get on to the meat of this letter.  That was quite a lengthy introduction... 

I'm sitting at home alone, listening to the Legends of the Fall soundtrack, and drinking peppermint mocha coffee.  What is it that brought me back to my letter writing in the midst of all the wedding preparations I should be working on, you ask?  I'll tell you: Grace.

I'm going to take a leaf out of Molly's book tonight and look at that word.

Grace has alot more meanings than I thought it did. 

There's a little girl from church named Gracie.  She's one of the most adorable, and truly fascinating children with whom I've had a chance to converse.

(I stole this from her mom's FB page.)

We can have a physical grace, such as the kind my almost-husband exhibited when he fell out of the car, but managed to save the milkshakes.  (Fantastic moment in our early days of knowing each other.)

This picture was taken close to that time... isn't he adorable?  I'm marrying him next week!

Close to our family's heart right now, is the grace that God has bestowed on our cousin, Bryan.  Last week he was diagnosed with cancer.  After the horrible, initial shock we felt at knowing that our beloved 21 year old has cancer, it has been evident that God is at work, and the prognosis continues to look better. 

This is an older picture of Bryan.  I took it back in his senior year of high school.  I chose it because our Bry is strong.  And I know that the Lord will give him the strength to get through this.

But there's really just one I've been thinking about lately.  Which one?

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

My, how lucky I am that God does not base His love for me on works.  Without His grace I would be lost.  Tonight, I am in awe of His patience and His unconditional, unending love.

Do you remember the parable Jesus told about the unforgiving servant?  If not, here's the gist, in my very, paraphrased terms:  So, an employee went to his boss, whom he owed, let's say $1000.  (That's 3 zeroes, k?)  The employee couldn't repay his boss, so he was going to be thrown in jail.  He got down and begged for forgiveness and for more time.  His boss, not only kept him out of jail, but forgave him his debt.  He wrote it off.  The employee no longer owed him $1000.  Nice, huh?  So then, this employee went to a lesser employee, who owed him less money, we'll say $100. (That's only 2 zeroes.. not as big a deal, right?)  He didn't have the money and begged for more time, but was instantly thrown into jail.

(Please, go to Matthew 18:21 for the original rendition of this story, ok?)

I share this story because, how often am I like that first employee?  Not necessarily in monetary terms, but just in terms of grace?  How would my standing be if God gave me as much grace as I give others?  That thought's a little scary. 

I admit to you right now, this week, I struggled giving Jered grace.  For something that wasn't really his fault.  It's just an occupational hazard of being a full time student and someone who's getting married in a week and a half.  I got so frustrated about the fact that he is going to be putting an intense amount of work and time into school these last couple weeks because it's going to affect our "right now."  I am so short-sighted, that it is hard to remember that his dedication to school is to prepare for us to have a good future.  By next Saturday, what I was upset about this week won't matter in the least.

That's just one, little example of how I believe God has been speaking to me about grace this week.  I can't help but feel that we should take a leaf out of His Book, and be gracious and loving to each other.  Why is it so hard?  Jered's the man I'm going to marry after all!  If I can't show him grace, how am I going to show it to anyone else?

Tonight, my prayer is that God will move in my heart. That He will show me grace in abundance and that I may be able to show it to those around me.

How precious does that grace appear...

Talk to you guys again soon! 

Aim*