Producitivity

Yeasterday I had a very long list of things I wanted to accomplish today, and for the most part I stuck to it.

• Paint the last drawer of the dresser.-CHECK
• Print and fill out paper work for temp. job.-CHECK
• Print letters for twinkle light board project. (more details to come)-CHECK
• Call my grandma and ask her about apple picking.-Oops!
• Cook delicious dinner.-CHECK
• Make at least one thing from the new cooking magazine.-Well I made cookies for cubbies on Wed. but they were not form the new magazine.
• Return movie to the library.-First thing tomorrow morning.
• Call Amber about Thursday -Maybe tomorrow.
• Read at least 50 pages of my book. -CHECK, actually I finished the whole book!

So as you can see I got almost everything done.  Hope your day was as fruitful as mine!

Love from Liberty,

Peggy

Accountability

Motivation often takes different forms.  I find that I am often motived by accountability.  If I tell someone I am going to do something I am more likely to accomplish it.  So in a effort to be very productive tomorrow I am posting a to do list.  Even if no one reads this, the possibility of another knowing and asking me about a task should be enough to encourage me to accomplish what I should tomorrow.

• Paint the last drawer of the dresser.
• Print and fill out paper work for temp. job.
• Print letters for twinkle light board project. (more details to come)
• Call my grandma and ask her about apple picking.
• Cook delicious dinner.
• Make at least one thing from the new cooking magazine.
• Return movie to the library.
• Call Amber about Thursday
• Read at least 50 pages of my book.

Ok well I think that is plenty to keep me busy for at least most of the day.  I'll let you know how it goes!

Love from Liberty,

Peggy

I love to bake!

It's true!  I love to bake.  Part of the reason that I love to bake so much is that most recipes include the same ingredients.  Flour, sugar, eggs, in almost every recipe the staples are the same.  And although I am learning to love to cook as well, baking is still my favorite.  I know that I have already shared my fool proof cookie recipe so today I wanted to share my new favorite site for baking ideas.  It's called Bakerella!  This site is filled with fun ideas for sweets in minis.  Today I made these cupcake bites.

They are so cute and really not that difficult. (I mean come on if I can do it so can you!)  Mine don't look as picture perfect as these but they are pretty.  You can find the step by step instructions by clicking here.  While you are on the site check out and try some of the other creative ideas and let me know how they turn out!

Love from Liberty,

Peggy

Paint Your Own Pottery

A couple weeks back I had the opportunity to meet some new friends and get a great craft idea.  Painting your own pottery is so much fun.  Last spring the girls in my RA group went to a place in Lynchburg, VA that allowed you to do this.  Our boss was getting married and we wanted to so something special for her.  We ended up choosing to do a his and hers dinner place setting with coordinating colors.  We each painted a piece and picked them up a week later.  It was so much fun!  But it was also kind of pricey.

Fast-forward to a couple of weeks ago and I learned that you can actually do this fun craft project at home for a much lower cost!  Krystal purchased sever plain ceramic pieces from the Dollar Store!  Some where white while others were clear glass.  We then used acrylic paint to create our designs.  After letting them dry for several hours we baked them in the over following the directions on paint labels.  I believe that you bake them at 350 for 30 min. Then here is the trick to let the pieced dry in the oven.  Once the potter is cooled you are good to go!

They are safe to use and can even be put in the top tray of the dishwasher to be cleaned (yes I have tried this and it came out the same way it went in).  It was so much faster and cheeper.  I can't wait to try it again!

Love from Liberty,
Peggy

On The Job Hunt

Well as many of you know I have been on the job hunt lately.  After spending the summer killing my self with summer classes, I am now down to just one final class to finish my M.B.A.  I will be taking this class online beginning in October, and although I am dreading the class I can't wait to be done with school!  Finally!

This summer I babysat for three very cute kids, Max (8), Zach (6), and Makayla (5).  We spent out days at the pool, the park, doing arts and crafts, and at a wide variety of other places.  It was fun to have a break from school and to enjoy the outdoors during the nice weather.  Following the start of school I worked for a friend at a recruiting office as an administrative assistant.  I really enjoyed this position.  I got to call references, work with the database, and search resumes for job candidates.  Last week my friend decided to put in her resignation it order to take advantage of another opportunity.  Because of this my position was discontinued.  Although it was sad that the position was no longer available, I was able to find a new job quickly and this week I began a part time position at a cute little store called the Farmer's Daughter's Market.  Although I loved the girls I was working with, and the job its self, after a week it was clear this was not a professional work environment that I wanted to be apart of so on Saturday I turned in my apron and said goodbye to my co-workers.  I harbor no ill feelings and if you get the chance you should check out the store.  It really is a neat place.

After all of this tomorrow I will once again be heading up the job search, looking for the right fit.  I am focusing my hunt in four areas, locally (Cedar Rapids), CHICAGO, Minneapolis, and Internationally.  Chicago is really my first choice, well actually an international position would be awesome but not as realistic.  So if you or any one you know is looking for an honest, hard working individual with integrity please let me know.  I am really interested in the areas of marketing, advertising, public relations, event planning, or graphic design.  I am also open to another admin. position in order to get my foot in the door someplace.  If the job is in Chicago I am pretty much up for anything that will pay the bills!  Haha.

So that's what's going on in my life.

Love from Liberty,
Peggy

Honesty

Well it has been awhile since I wrote something truly from the heart.  Many times there isn't much that most of you who know me don't already know.  My life seems to be pretty stable most days.  The Lord is always teaching me new lessons but most of them are too hard to explain or have too much background.  I find that he often teaches me slowly and over time rather than big lessons all at once.  Maybe this is because I have a hard time listening.  Or maybe it is because I often need time to think and digest the things that he is trying to teach me and so he only gives me a little at a time as to not overwhelm me.  But this week I have been overwhelmed.  This week I am learning about disappointment, heartache, and honesty. 

I think so often my problem is not that I am not honest with others so much as I am not honest with my self.  If  I am not honest with myself how can I possibly be honest with those around me.  I find this is true for a lot of people.  They can see that what we are saying is not lining up with how we are living or acting or feeling but because we are not honest with out selves we don't listen or don't see what they are able to see.

This whole summer I have been learning about disappointment and failure.  It started with not getting a job that I really wanted.  It was followed by making a miscalculation in a class and not receiving a passing grade.  It has continued with an endless job hunt for a position in the work force.  And this week it was once again ripped at my heart with some news that should have been happy but is really more of a heartache.

So what have a I learned through all of this?  I have learned that we cannot control the choices of others.  I have learned that I must be honest with my self and with the Lord, even if it means telling him I am angry or upset or sad.  I have learned that God knows what we need even more than we do.  I have learned that sometimes failure is one of God's greatest blessings.  The Lord's plan is always better than mine, and I have been reminded that he must often break us before he can bless us.  I am learning to be more positive and to look on the bright side.  And I think most of all I am learning how insignificant I am and how my idea of control is a facade self manifested to help me justify sin in my life.  I am sure this idea doesn't make sense to any one else but that's ok because it is my self discovery.

Learning is hard.  It requires change.  It requires honesty.  It requires pain.  But in the end it is necessary.  With out change self destruction begins to take hold, eventually forcing decisions to be made and consequences to be paid.

Love from Liberty,
Peggy

C is for Cookies!

I LOVE cookies!  I can't help it, they are just so good.  I find that I have no self control when it comes to these treats.  If I eat one I am sure to eat three... ok if we are being honest sometimes five!  So while I am waiting for my cookies to bake in the oven I though I would share my favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.

2 1/4 C. All purpose flour
1 tsp. Baking soda
1 tsp. Salt
1 C. butter
3/4 C. Sugar
3/4 C. Packed Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
2 Eggs
1 pkg. Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Now if you are one of those people who follows the directions to the T too bad!  I am not and guess what they turn out just fine.  Mix everything in a bowl and put on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 for 9-11 minutes and enjoy!  Thats all there is to it.

And there's the timer!  Got to go!

Love from Liberty,
Peggy